Huge fire engulfs flats as 100 residents evacuated

A firefighter has been injured and around 100 residents – including an MSP – have been evacuated from a block of flats after a fire broke out in the early hours of the morning.

Around 70 firefighters continue to tackle the blaze in Breadalbane Street, Edinburgh.

The alarm was raised at around 4.10am on Thursday.

In an update at 8am, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said 70 firefighters, 12 fire appliances and additional resources remain at the scene.

A spokesperson said: “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 Scotland said around 100 local residents have been evacuated and a cordon has been put in place.

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Central Scotland MSP Graham Simpson was among those staying in the building at the time.

Speaking on Thursday morning, he said: “The fire alarm went off and people started evacuating and everybody got out.

“There is a fire in the fifth-floor flat and flames were belching out of that flat, and it has then spread upwards to the sixth floor and the fire is still going on and smoke is belching out.

“I can still see flames, it appears to have spread to the stairwell.

“People got out but it was very dramatic and still is.”

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The Scottish Tory politician praised the hard work of the fire crews but said a vehicle access issue at the front of the building was making the operation more difficult.

He said the firefighters are having to carry ladders up to the front and place them against the balconies.

Mr Simpson added: “They have managed to drive up round the back. I’ve seen a turntable ladder spraying water into the flats from there, but they cannot get proper access to the front.

“They’ve got into some flats and they’re spraying water from balconies but right now the fire is still raging.

“The fire brigade should be able to drive up to the front of the building and get a turntable ladder.

“It’s quite ludicrous they are having to carry ladders up and physically put ladders up to balconies. They are doing a fantastic job but the fire is still going.”

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