Firefighters tackle major blaze in South Clerk Street

Around 40 firefighters are currently tackling a major fire at  a charity shop on the city’s South Clerk Street. Eight appliances and a turbine ladder are at the scene, along with police and ambulance.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said that crews were alerted to the blaze at 5:20 this morning, with the fire well underway when they arrived at the scene. The fire was discovered to have spread to the ground and first floors of the four storey block, and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the building to prevent further spread of the blaze and are searching the flats above the shop involved as part of their response.

The visible flames have now been extinguished however the property is still smoke logged.

South Clerk Street is currently closed between Hope Park Terrace and Newington Road.

A spokesmen for the fire and rescue service said that they expected to be on scene for some time and road closures will remain in place until firefighting operations are complete.

Photograph courtesy of Mark Brown