Police and fire services are conducting an investigation into the fire at the former Debenhams store on Princes Street, where the street remains closed between Castle Street and Frederick Street.
The former store, for which planning permission was granted in February 2026 to convert several properties on Princes Street into a hotel with a rooftop extension, has been extensively damaged by fire which broke out in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The fire service has removed their appliances from the front of the building, but Scottish Fire and Rescue Services (SFRS) said their crews would remain on site while continuing to damp down any smouldering remains.
What appears to be charcoal, or charred remains is strewn across the pavement on Princes Street, and a vehicle owned by Beattie the demolition firm was observed inside the cordon.
Council Leader, Jane Meagher, said: “It’s too early to speculate on the cause of the fire and it’s right that we now wait for the investigation to run its course. Ultimately, the responsibility for safety and security of the site lies with the owner and the contractor. We’ll work with the owners, Historic Environment Scotland, and other partners on next steps once we know more.”
On Friday Princes Street remains closed all vehicles and pedestrians who are being rerouted through Princes Street Gardens or Rose Street North Lane or George Street.
Frederick Street and Castle Street are now open to pedestrians and traffic. The market on Castle Street is open again with one stall holder telling The Edinburgh Reporter they had heard about the fire on the radio on Thursday morning and turned back home rather than coming into the city centre at all.
Trams are not yet able to pass the West End stop, and as a result no trams are running in either direction on Leith Walk.
Edinburgh Trams just issued a statement at noon on Friday as follows: “Due to an ongoing incident and road closure by emergency services on Princes Street, tram services are currently unable to serve Princes Street – Newhaven and are continuing to operate a part route service between Edinburgh Airport – West End.
“Tram stops between Princes Street – Newhaven will be closed until further notice as emergency services continue to monitor the situation.
“The safety of our customers and colleagues is of the upmost importance. Whilst our operational team assess the tramline, full service will not resume until it is safe for us to do so.
“Ticket acceptance is currently in place with ScotRail between Edinburgh Gateway and Edinburgh Waverley and on Lothian Buses services between West End and Newhaven.
“Follow the Edinburgh Trams X page for regular updates, check the Bus & Tram App or the Edinburgh Trams website for service updates before travelling.
“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause to your journey. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep customers updated.”
Lothian Buses are still running but are subject to diversions.
Businesses next door to the affected property remain closed – and Rose Street behind is also closed while the safety of the building is assessed. But access is possible through Rose Street Lane North.
See our aerial shots of the scene of the fire here.
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.”
