The Fire Brigade Union says there is a need for proper resourcing of the emergency service to continue to provide a professional response to “these kinds of fires”.
The street has remained closed all day and public transport is affected. Members of the public have been asked to stay away, and eye witnesses said this morning that the air nearby was full of smoke.
A part of the former Debenhams store at 109 Princes Street has been affected by a fire which broke out around 3am on Thursday.
Fire Brigade Union (FBU) Regional Chair Gus Sproul said: “What this shows is the vital service that our members provide to communities right across Scotland, and how important it is to have the appropriate response to deal with these kinds of fires.
“Over the last 13 years, we’ve seen a loss of 1,250 firefighter posts. We lost 166 firefighter posts three years ago. So, the pressure in the fire service and on our members has been really significant over the last 13 years.
“Sustained funding [is needed] to properly resource the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The people of Scotland deserve a professional, well-funded, well-resourced fire service.”
Deputy Assistant Chief Officer, William Pollard, said: “We were called this morning at 2.52am to a fire on Princes Street in a former department store.
“Edinburgh Operations Control mobilised six fire appliances, two high-reach appliances, and supporting resources to enable the firefighting to commence. Crews were presented with quite a significant fire.
“Currently, as it stands, we’ve got four fire appliances in attendance at the minute, two high-reach appliances, and again, the support and infrastructure to enable firefighting to continue.
“There’s been significant damage done to the building. The fire has been put well under control, and at the minute, we’re dampening down any hot spots or any residual burning that may be going on in the building.
“The fire has been quite significant, and we will be in attendance for quite a considerable time moving forward. We understand the disruption that will have to the local community.
“I’d like to take the opportunity to really thank our crews because they’ve worked tirelessly through the morning in order to bring this fire under control and get to the position we are in at the minute.
“And certainly, they’ve been working tirelessly through the day today as well. I’m sure you can appreciate the weather conditions, which haven’t helped that today. I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank our partner agencies, who have supported us all throughout the morning and through today, in order to bring this to the conclusion that we’re at, as it stands.
“I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the public who’ve been requested this morning for them to avoid the area where possible, and it’s great that they’ve done so, and it certainly helped us and allowed our firefighting operations to continue.
“If there are members of public still within the area and they are affected by the smoke, then our plea is still to keep their windows and doors closed and try and avoid the area where possible.
“As this is an ongoing incident, we have commenced our fire investigation into the cause of the fire, which is not known at this stage. The investigation has started with both our own fire investigation units and in Scotland, and that will continue throughout the day and until the incident’s been handed over.
“We’re looking at what that would look like next in terms of that recovery phase for the city, and certainly our ambition is to try and reduce resources, contain the fire, and extinguish it as quickly as we possibly can to enable that process and return to normality.”
Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “I’m relieved to hear that nobody has been hurt, and grateful for the swift response of the emergency services – who prevented this devastating fire becoming far worse.
“Once the area has been made safe, we will fully assess the condition of the building and consider next steps. I hope that local residents who were evacuated during the night will be able to return home soon.
“I’d urge people to continue to avoid the area for the time being, plan for ongoing disruption and follow all advice from the emergency services and transport operators.”
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said earlier that they sent eight fire appliances after receiving an emergency call just before 3am on Thursday morning.
A spokesperson for SFRS said: “We were called at 2.52am on Thursday, 9 July, to reports of a fire within a former department store building on Princes Street, Edinburgh.
“Operations Control mobilised six appliances and two height appliances plus supporting resources to the scene and firefighters worked through the early hours of the morning the contain and extinguish the flames.
“Crews continue to extinguish and dampen down hotspots and will be in attendance for some time.
“Drivers and pedestrians are advised to avoid the area and road closures are in place.
“There are no reported casualties.”
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