Edinburgh, Scotland – Emergency services responded to reports of an explosion at the Rockstar North headquarters in Edinburgh early Monday morning, January 19, 2026. The incident occurred at the Holyrood Road offices, which serve as the primary development hub for the highly-anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6). The blast, believed to have originated in the building's boiler room, prompted an immediate evacuation and a large-scale emergency response.
According to Edinburgh Live, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) was alerted to the explosion at approximately 5:02 a.m. local time. Fire crews, along with Police Scotland officers, quickly arrived on scene to secure the area and assess the situation. Multiple fire engines and specialist vehicles were deployed as thick smoke was reported emanating from the lower levels of the commercial building. Authorities established a cordon around the site, diverting traffic and restricting access while emergency personnel worked to contain any potential hazards.
The SFRS deployed three fire pumps and four specialist appliances to address the incident. Firefighters remained on site for several hours, focusing on stabilizing the structure and ensuring public safety. The response involved coordination between fire services, police, and other local agencies to manage the aftermath of what appeared to be a significant mechanical failure.
Telling The Herald, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service attempted to secure “structural damage” to the building. Thankfully, no casualties have been reported by the emergency services, a spokesperson confirmed to the outlet. The latest update available indicates that crews left the scene at 9:21 a.m., concluding the active emergency phase after more than four hours of operations. This development brought relief to those concerned about the well-being of staff and the integrity of the facility.
Rockstar North, originally founded as DMA Design in 1987 and acquired by Rockstar Games in 1999, has long been synonymous with groundbreaking open-world gaming. The Edinburgh studio is responsible for the core development of the Grand Theft Auto series, which has sold hundreds of millions of copies globally and set industry benchmarks for narrative depth, world-building, and technical innovation. Today, the Holyrood Road location employs several hundred people and stands as the central nerve center for GTA 6, following the game's formal announcement in 2022 and the release of its first trailer in late 2023. The project continues to generate immense anticipation within the gaming community and broader entertainment industry.
While preliminary indications point to a boiler-related malfunction as the cause of the explosion, officials are expected to conduct a thorough investigation to confirm the precise origin and rule out other factors. Structural assessments will likely follow to determine whether the building sustained lasting damage that could affect occupancy or operations. Rockstar Games has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident, though internal priorities are understood to center on employee safety and continuity of development efforts.
Although there is so far no suggestion of anything untoward in terms of the cause of the explosion, the offices of Rockstar North have been the setting of ongoing protests over the last several months. Rockstar fired over 30 employees for allegedly communicating company secrets to outside parties but immediately faced accusations of union-busting.
The event highlights the unexpected risks present even in high-profile creative and technology workplaces. As investigations proceed and normal operations resume, further details are anticipated from both authorities and the company regarding any impact on the GTA 6 project timeline or facility usage. For now, the swift and professional response by emergency services has ensured the incident concluded without injury or loss of life.
