Edinburgh Princes Street building too 'unsafe' to enter after roof destroyed by fire

A historic building on Edinburgh’s Princes Street has been deemed too unsafe to enter after a fire destroyed its roof and upper floors.

The building at the site of the old Debenhams department store suffered “significant damage” in the blaze, which broke out around 3am on Thursday.

Firefighters worked through the morning to bring the flames under control and continued to dampen down hotspots into the afternoon.

The roof and top floors of the disused B-listed building have been destroyed.

Around 50 firefighters worked to contain the fire to the affected site and prevent its spread to neighbouring buildings.

Deputy assistant chief officer Willie Pollard, of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said the blaze was “well under control” but that firefighters and officers have not been able to enter.

Fire crews have been dampening down the blaze STV News

He said: “As you can see behind me, there’s been significant damage done to the building.

“The fire has been put well under control. At the minute, we’re dampening down any hotspots or any residual burning that may be in the building.

“The fire has been quite significant, as you can see, and we will be in attendance for quite a considerable time moving forward.

“We understand the disruption that will have to the local community.”

An investigation into the cause of the blaze is at an “early stage”, Police Scotland confirmed.

Seven fire engines and three specialist appliances attended at the height of the incident. There were no reports of any injuries.

The fire is understood to be at the old Debenhams building Dillion Laing via Supplied

The surrounding area of Princes Street remains closed, along with Rose Street, Frederick Street and Castle Street, causing disruption to the city centre.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “Work is ongoing to ensure the area is made safe and enquiries are at an early stage.

“The surrounding area of Princes Street remains closed, along with Rose Street, Frederick Street and Castle Street.

“Members of the public are advised to avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed where possible.

“A joint investigation is ongoing to establish the cause of the fire.”

Pictures posted on social media during the night showed flames and plumes of smoke rising from the building’s facade.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: “Following a complex overnight incident in Edinburgh city centre, the fire at a former retail building on Princes Street has now been extinguished.

“At the height of the incident, around 50 firefighters worked to contain the fire to the affected site and prevent its spread to neighbouring buildings.

“Crews will remain on scene as recovery operations continue alongside partner agencies including Police Scotland and The City of Edinburgh Council.

“We thank the public and local community for their patience and support throughout the incident.”

Crews said earlier: “We were called at 2.52am on Thursday, July 9, 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.”