Dramatic scenes unfolded in the heart of Edinburgh during the early hours of this morning after a major fire broke out inside the former Debenhams building on Princes Street.
The blaze was reported at around 2.50am on Thursday 9 July, with thick smoke drifting across parts of the city. Residents reported smelling smoke as far away as Craigentinny, while the glow from the fire was also spotted by people in the Calders.
Powerful images from the scene show firefighters working tirelessly throughout the morning, battling the intense flames as they continue efforts to bring the incident under control. Crowds of concerned onlookers gathered behind emergency service cordons, watching as crews tackled the challenging blaze.
The incident has also caused significant disruption to public transport, with both Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams confirming service disruptions while emergency services remain at the scene.
The prominent Princes Street building had been earmarked for redevelopment and was due to be transformed into a new Zedwell hotel.
There have been no immediate reports of injuries, and the cause of the fire has yet to be confirmed. Emergency services remain in attendance as investigations are expected to follow once the blaze has been fully extinguished.
