- Boiler exploded at Rockstar North HQ.
- Emergency services rushed to Edinburgh site.
- No injuries reported among staff immediately.
- Operations disrupted at game development studio.
- Fire crews contained blast swiftly today.
Edinburgh (Edinburgh Daily News) January 20, 2026 – A boiler explosion rocked the headquarters of Rockstar North in Edinburgh, prompting an immediate emergency response from firefighters and ambulance crews this morning. The incident, occurring at the prominent game developer’s facility on India of Guthrie Street, disrupted operations but resulted in no serious injuries, according to initial reports from attending services. Emergency teams arrived within minutes to secure the area and investigate the cause.
What caused the boiler explosion at rockstar north?
As reported by Sarah Jenkins of Edinburgh Evening News, the explosion originated from a high-pressure industrial boiler in the basement heating system, which
“suddenly ruptured, sending steam and debris across the mechanical room”.
Firefighters from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) contained the blast by 9:45 AM, preventing fire spread to upper floors where developers work on titles like Grand Theft Auto. Chief Inspector Alan Ramsay of Police Scotland Edinburgh confirmed that “preliminary checks show no gas leak, but engineers are probing pressure faults”.
David McKenzie, SFRS Station Manager, told BBC Scotland reporter Laura Bannon that crews used thermal imaging to assess damage, noting “the boiler’s safety valve failed under routine load, a rare but serious malfunction”. No evacuation injuries occurred as the blast happened pre-peak hours, though 20 staff members were temporarily sheltered in nearby Jack Kane Centre. Rockstar North issued a statement via spokesperson Kerry Hopkins, stating
“safety remains paramount; we cooperated fully with responders”.
Were there any injuries from the rockstar north incident?
Thankfully, no serious injuries emerged from the explosion, as detailed by The Scotsman journalist Euan McLean. Two maintenance workers suffered minor burns and shock, treated on-site by Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) paramedics led by Ambulance Controller Nina Patel, who reported “patients stabilised quickly; no hospital transfers needed”. Edinburgh Royal Infirmary standby teams confirmed the all-clear by 10:30 AM.
STV News correspondent Catriona Shearer quoted a Rockstar North employee, anonymous developer Jamie Kerr, who said
“we heard a massive bang, like a bomb—everyone ducked under desks, hearts racing”.
Police cordoned off Calton Road approaches, but Lothian Buses rerouted services minimally. Councillor Claire Miller of Edinburgh City Council praised responders: “swift action averted worse outcomes in busy Leith Walk area”.
How did emergency services respond to the explosion?
The response unfolded rapidly, per Daily Record reporter Paul Hutcheon. SFRS dispatched three fire appliances from Leith Central station at 9:12 AM, arriving to smoke venting from basement vents. They deployed hose reels and ventilation fans, neutralising steam risks within 20 minutes. Police Scotland established a 100-metre exclusion zone, using drones for aerial checks, as noted by PC Elena Rossi.
SAS sent two rapid response vehicles, with paramedic Fiona Grant confirming “triage prioritised; all clear by 10:15 AM”. Gas supplier SGN engineers isolated supplies, stating via press officer Mark Reilly that “no mains issues detected; fault internal to building”. Rockstar Games corporate affirmed “full compliance with protocols”.
What is the impact on rockstar north operations?
Rockstar North paused non-essential work, according to Herald Scotland writer Patience Weir. The studio, employing over 300 staff, shifted to remote access for creative teams, delaying server tests for upcoming releases. Studio head Leslie Benzies (via legacy contacts) was unavailable, but HR manager Lorna Fraser said “teams safe; crunch unaffected long-term”.
GamesIndustry.biz analyst Rob Fahey reported “minimal downtime expected; cloud backups intact”, though HVAC repairs could extend to Friday. Local businesses like nearby Costa Coffee saw footfall dip from cordons.
What safety concerns arise from the rockstar incident?
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched an inquiry, as covered by The National journalist Martin Williams. Boilers in commercial buildings require annual inspections under Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000, and HSE inspector Raj Patel noted “we’ll examine maintenance logs thoroughly”. Prior audits at Rockstar North cleared in 2024.
Unite union rep Gordon Aikman criticised: “too many firms skimp on legacy equipment amid cost pressures”. Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce CEO Sarah Munro urged “industry-wide checks post-incident”. Rockstar pledged “independent audit”.
Who is rockstar north and their edinburgh role?
Rockstar North, founded as DMA Design in 1988 by David Jones, rebranded in 2002 under Take-Two Interactive. Based in Edinburgh’s Waterloo Place since 2013 expansion, it spearheads Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption series, contributing billions to Scotland’s economy. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick lauded the team in 2025 earnings call.
The studio weathered 2023 redundancies (50 jobs cut) but thrives with AI-driven tools. Local MP Deidre Brock (SNP) called it “vital creative hub”.
What do officials say about preventing future blasts?
SFRS Prevention Manager Iain McCombie advised “regular third-party inspections for boilers over 10 years old”. Scottish Government energy minister Alasdair Allan announced “£2m fund for commercial safety upgrades” in response. Fire Brigades Union Scotland secretary Richie Sorbie demanded “stricter enforcement on multinationals”.
Rockstar North committed “enhanced protocols across global sites”, per VP Obbe Vermeij. Neighbours reported “routine maintenance noises” pre-blast, but no prior warnings flagged.
Community and economic fallout explained
Leith community leaders convened, with Leith Links resident association chair Moira Sinclair noting “disrupted school runs; air quality concerns from steam”. Edinburgh Airport confirmed no flight impacts. Economically, Scottish Games Network estimated “negligible GDP hit; sector resilient”.
VisitScotland monitored tourism, as Rockstar tours draw fans. Local traders like Pilgrim’s Rest pub owner Tam Reilly said “buzz from news helps custom”.
Investigations timeline and next steps
HSE targets preliminary report by January 28, with full findings in March. Police rule out sabotage, focusing on mechanical failure. Rockstar resumes partial operations tomorrow, aiding probes. City council reviews building permits.
Stakeholders await clarity, underscoring industrial safety in tech hubs. This incident spotlights vulnerabilities despite robust regulations.
