A gas blast was at first suspected of causing the deaths of three primary school children in Slateford Road Edinburgh on Wednesday afternoon. BBC online has the tragic story. The deaths are now being treated as suspicious, and Real Radio News believes that the three children were dead before the fire started.
You can watch the ITN News video here.
Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service were called to a report of a possible gas explosion in Slateford Road, Edinburgh, shortly before 3pm on Wednesday afternoon.
Two fire appliances and a turntable ladder attended at the address, a three storey modern townhouse. Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished a small fire on the first floor of the building.
A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: “A criminal investigation is currently underway and nothing more can be said at this time into the circumstances which led to their deaths.”
No details as to the identity of the children will be issued until after post mortems have been carried out.
An adult woman, who was found injured on the ground outside the property, remains in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
Although the gas supply was isolated however it has since transpired there was no fault with the gas supply to the modern three storey townhouse.
Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service extinguished a small fire in the first floor of the house.
Edinburgh journalist Nicola Barry writes a piece in The Press & Journal about First Minister Alex Salmond – describing him as a Rottweiler in the face of attack from the US. (“No grilled Salmond on the menu..” – read it you will love it.) This article in itself is commented on by Professor Robert Black of Edinburgh University on his blog called The Lockerbie Case.
Not everyone is out in support of Alex Salmond though as Torcuil Crichton’s wonderfully named blog Westminster 1212 tells us….all because of a remark made by the First Minister firmly trying to raise a laugh……Read this and weep at the inanity of some parts of the media in trying to turn this into a story.
Finance Secretary John Swinney has commented on Lloyds Banking Group results.
Mr Swinney said:- “Lloyds Banking Group’s return to profit in the first half of 2010 is encouraging for Scotland’s wider economy.
“The results are indicative of improved economic conditions and demonstrate the resilience of the financial services sector.
“As a major lender to business in Scotland, Lloyds Banking Group must now ensure it lends effectively, particularly to Scottish firms which need access to finance to make the maximum possible contribution to growing Scotland’s economy and supporting employment.”
John Simmons appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh charged with assault and abduction of a young mother pushing her baby in his pram in the Hermitage of Braid in February. BBC online reports that the case has been continued for background reports.
The Broughton Spurtle gives us the lowdown on the bins in the New Town.
And Loopy Lorna herself opens her second Tea House today! The new location is at Church Hill Theatre on Morningside Road. The new one opens at 9 a.m. This photo is of the original tea emporium – where wacky tea cosies are de rigeur.
