Questions over future of fire-ravaged Jenners building
24 hours on from the massive fire at Edinburgh's former Jenners department store, investigations into the extent of the damage are underway
Last updated 24th Jan 2023
Work is getting underway to establish the extent of the damage to the former Jenners department store in Edinburgh's city centre, after a massive fire yesterday (January 23).
First engineers will assess the structural integrity of the site, but then teams will be crossing their fingers that much of the elegant wooden furnishings within have survived the blaze.
Terry Levinthal is Director of heritage watchdog, the Cockburn Association. He told us: "The Jenners has a number of significances to the city, architecturally it's one of only three category listed buildings on Princess Street."
"For many people who live in Edinburgh, it's a place where they would go to experience the wonderful atrium and the erection of the Christmas tree, into the toy shop and Jenners was was the finest toy shop. That's where your auntie, your granny would take you to tea."
"It was very much this iconic place of Edinburgh that that went well beyond its architectural significances
"It seems as if the epicentre of the fire was in was in the 1905 extension to the building,
"it would have been constructed with fireproof construction techniques. So what one hopes is that as a result of that foresight, that the essential structure of the jenners building will remain sound.
"I really, really hope that some of the decorative timber work, the fine details are saveable.
"What was brilliant, was that the fire crew did actually get on site so quickly and how terrible it is that five firefighters one and one critically were injured in performing their duties.
"and we need to really thank them very much for for their stellar work in that regard."
READ MORE: Fire fighter in "critical condition" after Edinburgh Jenners fire
Cause of blaze 'still unknown'
The cause of a blaze at a well-known Edinburgh building that critically injured a firefighter remains unknown, the city council leader said.
Fire crews were called to former department store Jenners, which was being turned into a hotel, at 11.29am on Monday.
Five firefighters were taken to hospital for treatment, with one in a "critical condition".
Witnesses saw a soot-covered firefighter being helped from the building by colleagues.
Edinburgh City Council leader Cammy Day said: "The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service along with the surveying team were looking into that overnight, so we don't yet know the cause.
"Obviously there was construction work happening on the old Jenners building, so we'll find out in the next coming days."
Mr Day added: "I sure I say this on behalf of the whole city, that our thoughts are with the firefighters who risked their lives to save the building and save the people around the city as well, so our thoughts are with their families today."
Five firefighters taken to hospital for treatment, with one in a "critical condition"
Ross Haggart is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Interim Chief Officer.
He said: "The fire at the Jenners building in Edinburgh is a very serious and complex incident and regrettably I can confirm that five of our colleagues have been taken to hospital for treatment and one remains in a critical condition.
“The families of all those affected have been made aware."