Edinburgh residents evacuated from homes after fire breaks out at block of flats in the early hours

Fire crews remain on site 

Around 100 Edinburgh residents have been evacuated from their homes after a fire broke out at a block of flats in Bonnington this morning.

Shortly after 4am this morning (March 14) a large fire was reported in Breadalbane Street in the north of the city.

The fire broke out at a block of flats in Breadalbane Street, Edinburgh shortly after 4am today

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) continue to bring the fire under control and advised they expect to remain on site for a 'considerable time.' The fire service deployed 12 fire engines and more than 70 firefighters to tackle the blaze. It is understood that all residents were evacuated safely but two firefighters were treated for minor injuries.

The fire, which was reported at around 4.10am today initially spread to adjacent flats on the same floor and above, but has now been contained to one area. A police cordon is in place and the SFRS has 'strongly advised' members of the public to avoid the area.

Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Andy Girrity of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “The fire is contained and firefighting operations remain ongoing to bring this incident to a safe conclusion. This has been a complex incident which involved the evacuation of a large number of people."

“Mr Girrity added: "Our crews have worked tirelessly to contain this fire and prevent further spread within the building. There is a large-scale emergency service presence and we will remain on the scene for a considerable time."

A spokesperson for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “We received a call today at 5.25am to attend an incident on Breadalbane Street in Edinburgh. We dispatched one ambulance and our special operations team to the scene. No one was required to be taken to hospital.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We are in attendance at a fire at a block of flats in Breadalbane Road in Edinburgh. Emergency services were called to the scene around 4.35am on Thursday, 14 March, 2024." They added: "Approximately 100 local residents have been evacuated and a police cordon is in place."

Reacting to the news, council leader Cammy Day thanked the emergency services for “their ongoing swift response.” Councillor Day said: “Thankfully everyone has been evacuated to safety but this is a large-scale fire which is affecting as many as 100 residents.

Cllr Day added: “We have Council and Health and Social Care officers on the scene to support residents with a rest centre set up at the nearby Leith Community Centre. Our roads team has put a small closure in place on Breadalbane Street and we’ll continue to support all agencies and the local community and explore temporary accommodation should it be required.”