Edinburgh fire: Princes Street Primark evacuated as fire breaks out in Rose Street Lane

Emergency services are in attendance at a fire in Edinburgh city centre.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service attended Rose Street Lane this afternoon (September 15).

Smoke could be seen billowing into the air above the New Town skyline from about 2.30pm.

A woman, who called 999, said: “I heard a loud pop noise and suddenly I saw flames that were surrounding me around my kitchen, so I called the fire brigade and got out as quickly as I could.

"It is scary seeing flames outside around your home though."

Eye witness reports from the scene suggest it was an air conditioning unit that caught fire in a building in that area.

Primark and Hotel Chocolat were both evacuated, as well as surrounding residential areas.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 2.47pm on Thursday, September 15 to a report of a fire near a building on Rose Street Lane, Edinburgh.

“Operations Control mobilised four fire appliances and crews are still in attendance.”