Fierce blaze destroys Indian restaurant and flat above it

The fire, at Madras Cottage, on East Main Street, Whitburn, was spotted by a passer-by just after 4am this morning.

More than 30 firefighters tackled the fire at the curry house, which was still alight at rush hour this morning.

Roads were closed around the scene and motorists diverted.

It is believed the blaze started in a rear kitchen, although the cause is still unknown.

A fire control worker confirmed crews had attended a “50 meter by five meter building” which was “well-alight”.

There have been a number of blazes at restaurants and homes in the Whitburn area in recent months.

A kebab shop was destroyed in a “suspicious” fire in July, just days before it was due to open for the second time.

The Four In One takeaway, in West Main Street, had just been refurbished following a blaze seven months previously when it was destroyed, causing more than £100,000 worth of damage.

A month before that, dozens of firefighters tackled a major fire at the Whitburn Miners Welfare Club, which also broke out in the early hours.

Meanwhile, a 37-year-old man suffered face and hand injuries after a flat fire at Piershill Square East. He was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

A second man, 34, who lived in the flat above where the fire took place, had to be treated at the scene suffering from smoke inhalation. The blaze started in a bedroom at around 10.20pm, causing bad damage to the flat and smoke damage to the flat above it.

The fire in Piershill was tackled by 16 firefighters using three pumps and a height appliance.