Residents forced to move out after the Glasgow School of Art fire have been told it could be another three months before they are able to return to their homes.

At a meeting held yesterday, displaced residents quizzed Glasgow City Council building chiefs and council leader Susan Aitken on the possibility of gaining entry to their homes to collect belongings, but were told the site is "too dangerous".

Dozens of householders in the Garnethill area of the city were moved out as an exclusion zone was set up in the wake of last month's fire at the historic Mackintosh building.

Since the blaze, which took place on June 15, residents from 33 properties have been unable to access their homes.

Traders have also warned that it could spell the end for some businesses.

Surveyors have confirmed that sections of the art school will be dismantled as a matter of urgency because of the risk of the structure's sudden collapse, with work scheduled to begin today.

Raymond Barlow, assistant head of planning and building standards at Glasgow City Council, told yesterday's meeting this should provide a clearer picture on a timescale for residents.

He said: "What we established [during initial analysis of the site] was it was far, far worse than we had hoped for.

"We still truly don't know the condition of the building."

Residents were told attempts to reduce the cordon sooner will be made if it is deemed safe by contractors.

Councillor Aitken said: "We would not lightly displace 33 residences at one time but we don't have that timescale yet.

"The reality is we don't know that much. This is an unfolding situation."

She added: "After public safety, our next biggest priority is getting you back in your home as quickly as we can, but as quickly as we can is not going to be that quick.

"It's likely going to be two or three months."