Community Centre damaged in blaze
Main photo Cameron Douglas
Firefighters were called out to a blaze at Kirk Loan in Corstorphine yesterday morning just before 10:00am which has caused extensive damage to the community centre there.
Appliances were immediately sent from Sighthill Fire Station and the SFRS presence increased to eight pumps during the height of the blaze.
Our reporter Cameron Douglas was at the scene and spoke to Sandy Irvine (15) who works at the holiday club which uses the hall in the community centre. He said:-“As I walked round the corner of the Community Centre, I was met with the sight of three fire engines. There were about 14 fire officers, and I immediately thought the worst. Luckily as I walked past the fire engine I saw that those attending the holiday club were safe at the churchyard.”
Police Scotland and Edinburgh City Council were on hand to provide advice and assistance to residents of nearby houses who were affected by the heavy smoke which accumulated in the area.
No injuries were reported and according to the fire service there were no reports of people being inside the two storey building, which measures approximately 30 metres by 40 metres.
In a separate incident on Monday evening two people were rescued from a house in the Buckstone area of the city.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were called to an address in Buckstone Lea at 8.06pm following reports of a fire within a two storey detached house.
Two appliances responded to the call, one from Liberton and one from Sighthill.
Firefighters in breathing apparatus used one high pressure hosereel jet and a co2 extinguisher to put the fire out.
The kitchen area was damaged by fire and there was smoke damage throughout the rest of the property.
Two casualties, a man and woman, were recovered from the house and given oxygen by firefighters before being placed in the care of Scottish Ambulance Service staff. It is understood that they did not require hospital treatment.
Firefighters left the scene at around 9.31pm.