Council open Leith Community Centre as rest area after fire
The council has set up a rest area at Leith Community Centre following the large-scale fire earlier today.
Council Leader Cammy Day said: “Thankfully everyone has been evacuated to safety but this is a large-scale fire which is affecting as many as 100 residents.
We have Council and Health and Social Care officers on the scene to support residents with a rest centre set up at the nearby Leith Community Centre. Our roads team has put a small closure in place on Breadalbane Street and we’ll continue to support all agencies and the local community and explore temporary accommodation should it be required.
“I’m very grateful to the emergency services for their ongoing swift response.”
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service say they received an alert at 4.10am in the early hours of Thursday with reports of a fire in a flat.
The fire development initially spread to adjacent flats on the same floor and above, but is now contained to one area.
Twelve fire appliances and a number of specialist resources remain at the scene and emergency service presence anticipated throughout the day.
Around 100 people were safely evacuated and all people are accounted for. There are no reported casualties involving members of the public.
Two firefighters have sustained minor superficial injuries and have been assessed at the scene by the Scottish Ambulance Service. They do not require hospital treatment.
Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Andy Girrity is the officer in charge. He said: “The fire is contained and firefighting operations remain ongoing to bring this incident to a safe conclusion.
“This has been a complex incident which involved the evacuation of a large number of people.
“Our crews have worked tirelessly to contain this fire and prevent further spread within the building.
“There is a large-scale emergency service presence and we will remain on the scene for a considerable time.
“I would strongly advise members of the public to avoid the area.”
PHOTO Alan Simpson