Man in custody after tenement fire in Clermiston

A man has been detained after a tenement fire in Durar Drive, Clermiston resulted in a number of residents being evacuated and 12 people treated for smoke inhalation.

The alarm was raised after a resident claimed  to see a man with a knife acting in a threatening manner at around 11.30am this morning and when officers arrived at the scene, they found a blaze had broken out in a tenement flat on the street.

Inspector Euan Smith said: “A man was subsequently removed from the block of flats and taken into police custody while firefighters evacuated the area and extinguished the flames.

“A total of 12 people sustained smoke inhalation including a child who was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for assessment.

“Alternatively information can be passed anonymously through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”