One dead after explosion at Fountainbridge tenement

One person has died after an explosion at a tenement block in Edinburgh's Fountainbridge area.

Emergency services were called to reports of a blaze at the building near to Tollcross Primary shortly before 5pm on Tuesday.

Police have since confirmed a body was discovered in the second floor by fire crews tackling the flames.

No further information has been given about the casualty until relatives are made aware.

Officers have had to retreat from the scene until building inspectors declare it structurally safe.

Chief Inspector Scott Richardson said: “Our thoughts at this time remain with the relatives of the person who has sadly passed away. Officers and firefighters remain at the scene whilst the building is assessed for structural damage.

“The explosion and fire has caused significant damage to the building and Fountainbridge will remain closed for the foreseeable. I would ask that members of the public avoid the area, where possible.

“A joint investigation will be carried out in due course by police and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to determine the cause of the fire, which is not currently thought to be suspicious."

Road closures were put in place at Lochrin Terrace, Ponton Street, West Tollcross and through to Gardner's Crescent.

Bricks from the tenement building appeared to have been blasted from the outer walls in the explosion.

Rubble was left scattered on the ground and social media posts showed large plumes of smoke and fire coming from the window.

Andrew McQuater was driving nearby when he heard the blast.

Speaking to Radio Forth News, he said: "Bricks were falling down, a metre in front of me and my van.

"There was a big cloud of dust and rubble - I couldn't see anything outside the van.

"There was another man there, a joiner, and we were telling people to get off the streets, and shouting 'Someone call the fire brigade'.

"The man then brought out a hammer and started trying to claw his way into the door.

"We managed to get in and ran up the stairs, and as we got to the flat which was on fire, we just smelled a really strong smell of gas.

"It was absolutely terrifying to think anyone could be in there.

"We had to get out for our own safety, so as we ran back down we were banging on all the doors, saying 'fire, fire, fire'."

Calum Brown, from Dalgety Bay in Fife, works opposite the scene and said he felt the "glass office'' shake.

The 23-year-old recruitment worker said: "I heard a bang then looked around and there was just dust rising from the ground.

"You could see smoke pouring from the chimney - I got there just before the first fire engine - you could see flames coming out of the window.

"Bricks were missing from the tenement building and had landed on the street."

"It was lucky that no-one was underneath at the time."

Eyewitnesses said fire crews were on the scene within around a minute.

Edinburgh City Council has confirmed the nearby Tollcross Primary will remain closed for the rest of the week.

A spokesperson said: "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.

"Monday 16 September is a school holiday and parents/carers will be updated about arrangements for next week by 12 noon on Friday 13 September."

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