Edinburgh flats evacuated in frightening early morning blaze
Flames began pouring from a flat just after 4am
Last updated 14th Mar 2024
Firefighters are dealing with a major blaze in a block of flats in Edinburgh's Bonnington area.
A thick plume of smoke can be seeing billowing from the building on Anderson Place.
Crews were called to Breadalbane Street at 4.10am and nine appliances are involved in the firefighting operations.
The area is sealed off but there's no word yet on the extent of an injuries.
Residents have been evacuated and there are no reports of anyone being hurt.
Among them is the Conservative MSP Graham Simpson who posted video on X (formerly Twitter).
Graham Simpson told Greatest Hits Radio News: "There was a fire on the fifth floor. It spread up to the sixth floor. It was really fierce and three hours later I can see smoke still billowing and flames coming from the sixth floor flat.
"There is a difficulty with the fire brigade getting access because they can't drive up to the front. I think it's a real design flaw.
"They have managed to get an extended ladder up around the back."
"Everybody's out and just standing around now. For me this is no my main home - I can go home today - but for some people this is their main home and they'll be devastated."
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