Fire which tore through old factory in Perth being treated as deliberate

Perth residents were urged to close doors and windows overnight as fire crews battled a blaze at a factory.

Emergency services were called to the blaze, which took hold of the old ABP food processing plant on Crieff Road at around 12.05am on Friday.

Crieff Road, Newhouse Road and Strathtay Road were all closed in response.

Strathtay Road at the junction with Newhouse Road remains closed.

Those living nearby have been told to shut their windows and doors.

The fire is being treated as deliberate and enquiries are ongoing.

A police statement read: “Crieff Road, Newhouse Road and Strathtay Road in Perth are closed following a fire at a building, reported to us around 12.05am today.

“Emergency services are in attendance, and the public should avoid the area.

“Those living locally are asked to keep windows and doors closed.”

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 11.56pm on Thursday, 16 July to reports of a building fire on Strathtay Road, Perth.

“At its height, Operations Control mobilised six appliances and specialist resources to the scene where firefighters extinguished a fire affecting a three-storey derelict building.

“There were no reported casualties and crews left the scene around 5.30am on Friday, 17 July.

“Firefighters have reattended the site this morning to dampen down hotspots.”