Large blaze destroys Corstorphine Community Centre

Seventy fire-fighters are currently tacking a large blaze at the Corstorphine Youth and Community Centre in Kirk Loan.

The fire broke out just before 10am this morning and a number of children who were in the building at the time were safely evacuated to a nearby church as fire-fighters worked to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby buildings

A spokesman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “Operations Control in the capital received reports of the fire on Kirk Loan shortly before 10am on Tuesday 15 October.

“Appliances were immediately sent from Sighthill Fire Station and the SFRS presence has since been increased to eight pumps. There is heavy smoke logging in the area and SFRS officers are working closely with Police Scotland and Edinburgh City Council to provide advice and assistance to residents of nearby houses.

“Police officers are manning outer cordons while fire-fighters continue to tackle the blaze, with two height appliances in use. No injuries have been reported and there were no reports of people being inside the two storey building.”

Corstorphine High Street and Saughton Road North have been closed in both directions between Manse Road and Castle Avenue, along with Kirk Loan and Orchardfield Avenue.

Police said the roads are likely to be closed for the next few hours and have asked motorists to stay away from the area.

Photograph by Cameron Douglas