Emergency services tackle high rise fire in Bonnington

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Around 70 firefighters, 12 fire appliances and additional specialist resources are currently in attendance at a well-developed fire involving a high rise building in the Breadalbane area of Bonnington.

“We received the call at 4.10am following reports of a fire within a flat.

“The building has been evacuated and firefighting operations remain ongoing.

“There are no reported casualties at this time involving members of the public.

“One firefighter has sustained minor injuries and has received treatment from Scottish Ambulance Service at the scene.”

POLICE are in attendance at a fire at the block of flats in Breadalbane Road.. Approximately 100 local residents have been evacuated and a police cordon is in place.

UPDATE at 10am:

“Around 70 firefighters, 12 fire appliances and additional specialist resources are currently in attendance at a well-developed fire involving a high rise building in the Breadalbane area of Bonnington, City of Edinburgh.”

The Persimmon Homes building is understood to house 111 flats. Some are believed to have been destroyed in the blaze.

PICTURE: Local resident HARRY WILLIAMS

MAJOR FIRE AT JENNERS

We are currently in attendance at a commercial building fire on Rose Street in Edinburgh

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 11.29am on Monday, January 23 to reports of a building fire at Rose Street.

“Operations Control immediately mobilised two appliances to the scene and on arrival firefighters found a building well alight.

“A further eight appliances, including a high reach, were mobilised and crews remain on scene as they work to extinguish the fire.  No casualties have been reported.”

South St David Street and a number of surrounding roads, have been closed to traffic and pedestrians following the building fire.

Please avoid the area if possible and follow directions regarding alternative routes.

PICTURES: Gillian Webster, Connal Hughes, Anthony Brown, Whacko TM.

UPDATE at 7pm

Ross Haggart is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Interim Chief Officer. He said: “The fire at the Jenners building in Edinburgh is a very serious and complex incident and regrettably I can confirm that five of our colleagues were taken to hospital for treatment. Four have now been discharged however one remains in a critical condition.

“The families of all those affected have been made aware. We currently remain at the scene with a total of 11 appliances and other specialist resources in attendance.”

Will you help The Yard?

While we were celebrating our 35 Years of Play and planning our Christmas celebrations, we didnt know we had yet another challenge coming our way this year.

On the 7th of December, The Yard Edinburgh was a victim of vandalism. On Tuesday, a fire was deliberately initiated in the boardwalk, damaging the grounds, outdoors electric systems and the door of the Solar Dome.

We are devastated and currently doing our best to have affected areas repaired as soon as possible, which will be a costly process. Luckily, no one was harmed and damage was contained.

Services were suspended on Tuesday, but we reopened the following day. We are still going ahead with our Christmas celebrations as scheduled, but families will not be able to access some areas for a while which will reduce the quality of play experience we pride ourselves for at The Yard.

Despite this heartbreaking news, we are confident that we’ll come out to the other side stronger, as we always have.

Please support us today if you can and donate as much or as little as you can. Every donation will help us rise stronger and continue to be there for the families that use The Yard.

To see how you can help following the link:

https://buff.ly/3dURTRX

Large Fire on George IV Bridge: please avoid the area

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are currently in attendance at a large #fire on George IV Bridge. More than 60 firefighters are working to extinguish the fire in the city centre.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted at 6.18am this morning (Tuesday, 24 August) to reports of a building on fire at George IV Bridge.

Operations Control mobilised nine appliances and two height vehicles to the area where the fire was found to be affecting a number of properties. A further three appliances were mobilised.

Crews remain on the scene and are expected to do so for some time as they work to make the area safe.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Deputy Assistant Chief Officer David Farries is the Incident Commander. He said: “This is undoubtedly a complex and challenging incident.

“I would like to thank our crews as they work to extinguish the fire. I would also like to thank our emergency services colleagues and local authority partners.

“We will remain in attendance for a considerable time yet as we work to contain the fire.”

DACO Farries continued: “We continue to ask people living nearby to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke.

“Road closures remain in place and we advise people to avoid the area and to allow access for emergency service vehicles.”

Nearby residents advised to keep windows & doors closed and road closures remain in place.

See @EdinPolSE & @edintravel for traffic advice and please avoid the area #edintravel

Firefighters tackle blaze at Debenhams on Princes Street

More than 30 firefighters are working to extinguish a large fire at the Debenhams building on Princes Street.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted at 1.23pm this afternoon to reports of a fire on the ground floor of the building.

Operations Control immediately mobilised four fire engines and an aerial appliance to the scene.

Crews wearing breathing apparatus entered the building where the fire was found to be within the ground and lower ground floor and a further four appliances were mobilised.

No casualties have been reported. Crews remain on the scene and are expected to do so for some time as they work to make the area safe and extinguish the fire.

Fire and Rescue Service: Safer Summer 2020

Staycation advice for campers

Here in Scotland, we boast some of the most stunning scenery in the UK – we’d really appreciate your help to keep it that way.

Warmer weather and the increased numbers of people visiting the countryside creates a greater risk of fire.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Alasdair Perry said: “Camping is something that lots of people enjoy each summer in Scotland and as lockdown restrictions ease many will be eager to get outdoors and rightly enjoy the stunning countryside in which we live once again.

“We always want people to stay safe and have a good experience.

“Tents are susceptible to fire which can take hold very quickly. Using stoves or other cooking and heating equipment in tents could endanger lives not only from fire but also as a result of a build-up of Carbon Monoxide so we’d remind campers not to smoke or cook within tents and use torches instead of candles.

“If barbecuing or considering a camp fire, where these are allowed, never leave it unattended, ensure it is well away from anything to which it could spread and keep children and pets away from the cooking area. Avoid alcohol if you are in charge of preparing the food.

“Do not dispose of ashes until they are cold to the touch as hot ashes can melt a plastic bin causing fire. Wherever possible, they should always be doused with water prior to leaving them unattended. The danger of wildfire is very real in Scotland.

“An important point to remember is that even cold barbecues or fuelled appliances can still give off Carbon Monoxide for some time after use therefore they should always be kept outside.

“Gas barbecues should be used in a well ventilated area.

“Remember to keep your area tidy and always clear up litter when done. Whist we all wish to keep our country beautiful, litter can seriously injure wildlife and items such as glass bottles in strong sunlight have the potential to start a fire.

“In addition to all this, if people are spending more time outdoors near waterways please be aware of the risks around cold water shock to prevent avoidable tragedies.”

Please visit the ‘Your Safety’ section of our website for more information or visit https://www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot/

Fire safety guidance for high-rise homes

PIC: Dave Pickering

Residents in high-rise properties are being given leaflets outlining how to prevent fires in the home and what to do if one starts in their building.

The advice, produced by the Scottish Government and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, is being delivered to high-rise homes from December and will also be available in libraries and community centres in all 15 local authorities with the properties. Continue reading Fire safety guidance for high-rise homes