Five people have been hospitalised in the fire that broke out this morning in Great Junction Street, Leith.
Scottish Fire Rescue Services were alerted to the fire that was on the third floor of a tenement flat where six fire appliances and two heigh vehicles were mobilised. The emergency services were called to Bonnington Road after reports of the fire occurring around 2.35am at the corner of Bonnington Road and Great junction street.
Police Scotland said the victims were taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary as a precaution caused by excessive smoke inhalation.
They also issued a different statement on their website, informing locals in the area to avoid the corner of the road where it meets Great Junction Street, further stating that the road is currently closed between Leith Walk and Ferry Road.
The police added: “Both drivers and pedestrians should find an alternative route till everything calms down. They went ahead to say the fire is not believed to be suspicious, however, enquiries are ongoing into the cause.”
A resident with the Twitter handle @lucywrights, whose house was partly burnt down, said on Twitter: “That’s all my life savings down the drain as I recently only got it, and I don’t know what to do.”
Another resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “I am just grateful nobody was hurt because I was working nightshift and I had to be pulled out of work to go be with my children so as much as there was a fire, I am happy my children are safe. That is all I care about for now. Everything else is replaceable.”
Disturbing images have since been shared on social media showing huge flames coming from building roofs above a row of shops in the area as smoke could be seen in rising. The SFRS crews remain in attendance.
