Fountainbridge Fire: Edinburgh council confirm primary school to remain closed for remainder of week

TOLLCROSS Primary school is to remain closed for the rest of the week following the fatal fire which engulfed a nearby tenement block.

Fire crews remained on the scene on Wednesday afternoon.

City education chiefs confirmed pupils from the school and accompanying nursery will be kept away from the building at Fountainbridge, citing fears over its structural integrity.

One person died in the blaze, thought to have been caused by a gas explosion, shortly before 5pm on Tuesday.

Tollcross Community Centre will also be closed for the rest of the week as it remains within the safety cordon.

Fire crews remained on the scene on Wednesday afternoon.

A short council statement read: "The safety of the pupils, staff and the public using the school, nursery and community centre is paramount and we apologise for any inconvenience the closures may cause."

Police and fire crews remained on the scene overnight on Tuesday and into Wednesday to secure the area, while dozens of transport links have been diverted.

The Evening News reported how five children were left in floods of tears while they played in the grounds of Tollcross Primary as the blast happened.