Willison House to be demolished following devastating fire
The council say "nothing can be saved"
Willison House, the former home of Robertson's Furniture Store in Barrack Street, Dundee, is set to be demolished following a devastating fire.
The blaze could be seen from across the River Tay.
The property has been handed over to Dundee City Council by Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
The council say City Engineer and Building Standards officers assed the building following the fire and found that the roof and floor construction has been entirely consumed and the internal steel frame has buckled due to the heat of the blaze.
The building has been left in an unsafe condition as the external masonry façade suffered major distortion and cracking which has worsened since the fire.
The council have stated that demolition, which is the only viable option, will start as soon as can be arranged in the interest of public safety.
A Dundee City Council spokesperson explained: “Only the exterior walls of the building have been left following the fire and these are in a dangerous condition and likely to collapse.
“That is why we have a duty in the interests of public safety to move as quickly as possible to demolish what is left of this once fine building. Despite our efforts to consider how much of Willison House could be retained, the extent of the fire has left nothing that can be saved
“Due to the urgency of the situation, the cost of demolition will be met by the Council. The council will be pursuing the owner for reimbursement.”
“The exclusion zone will be maintained in the meantime in the interests of public safety. The work will be carried out as quickly as possible to allow the situation for business in the surrounding area to return to normal.”
In a social media post, Tayside Police said: "A section of North Lindsay Street in Dundee is currently closed between South Ward Road and the Overgate Centre due to the ongoing investigation into the building fire on Barrack Street on Saturday, 12th November.
"A diversion is in place and motorists are advised to use this and avoid the area at the current time."