Firefighter critically injured in former Edinburgh department store fire named

A firefighter critically injured in the Jenners building blaze in Edinburgh has been named.

Barry Martin, 38, was one of five firefighters who suffered injuries tackling the flames at the former department store on Monday.

Two were treated for smoke inhalation and two for burns.

Four have since been discharged, but Mr Martin, from Fife, remains in a critical condition at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

A police officer also required treatment for smoke inhalation and was later released.

The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

Ross Haggart, interim chief officer with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), said: “This was undoubtedly a serious and complex fire.

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“Our thoughts are very much with Barry and his family, and indeed with all of our colleagues who were injured in responding to this incident.

“Barry is a firefighter based in Edinburgh and we ask that everyone please respect his family’s privacy at this time.

“We continue to provide all possible support to our colleagues and their families, as well as all staff involved.

“We are liaising with appropriate partners to ensure a full and thorough investigation is undertaken into this incident.”

The alarm was raised in the city’s Rose Street shortly before 11.30am.

On arrival, firefighters found the iconic building “well alight”.

At its height, 22 appliances and other specialist resources were sent to tackle the flames.

SFRS said more than 100 firefighters worked in “difficult conditions” to bring the fire under control.

Pictures and video taken at the scene showed smoke billowing from the category A-listed building.

Emergency crews remain at the scene with a single appliance to monitor the building for any potential “hotspots”.

Police Scotland confirmed the east end of Rose Street is currently closed between South St David Street and Rose Street North Lane.

Two nearby business premises on Rose Street also remain closed.

The building, which Jenners moved into in 1895, is one of the best known in the Scottish capital.

The closure of the store, which was then controlled by Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group, was announced in 2021.

Renovations have been ongoing to transform it into a hotel, supported by a firm owned by fashion billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen.

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