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Firefighters tackle major blaze on Edinburgh's Princes Street

News imageBBC A large historic multi-storey building with extensive fire damage, particularly on the upper floors and roof. A fire hose is spraying water on the building.BBC
The building has been left damaged by the fire

Firefighters are tackling a large blaze which broke out at a disused building on Edinburgh's Princes Street.

Crews were sent to the scene next to the old Debenhams building about 02:50 and worked through the early hours to bring the flames under control.

A number of roads have been closed and commuters are being diverted away from the area, with extensive damage to the building particularly on the upper floors and roof.

Videos of the fire at its height have been posted on social media, showing large flames emerging from the two top floors and smoke billowing into the street.

At about 09:20 the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said crews were dampening down hot spots.

A spokesperson said: "Operations control mobilised six appliances and two height appliances plus supporting resources to the scene and firefighters worked through the early hours of the morning the contain and extinguish the flames.

"Crews continue to extinguish and dampen down hotspots and will be in attendance for some time."

Police are on the scene and said inquiries are ongoing.

Princes Street, Frederick Street and Castle Street are closed and the force has urged people to avoid the area.

There are no reports of injuries.

Blaze breaks out on Edinburgh's Princes Street
News imageA high reach fire engine reaching up to a a building. A hose is also spraying water across the street.
Firefighters worked through the night to tackle the blaze

Trams in the area have been disrupted, with services running part route from Edinburgh Airport to West End only.

Edinburgh Trams said tickets will be accepted by ScotRail between Edinburgh Gateway and Edinburgh Waverley and on Lothian bus services between West End and Newhaven.

Lothian Buses said a number of services had been diverted.

River Island and Levi's had shops on the ground floor of the building but both units have closed.

A steady stream of commuters walked through Princes Street Gardens earlier as they were diverted away from the blaze scene.

News imageDillon Laing Fire at old building on Edinburgh's Princes StreetDillon Laing
The blaze broke out in the early hours near the old Debenhams building

Debenhams closed in May 2021 following a large fire that April.

In 2021, Legal and General planned a £50m revamp of the building including a 207-room boutique hotel and "hospitality hub", but this fell through.

The old department store site was then bought by Criterion Capital, the development company headed up by billionaire Asif Aziz.

He planned to turn it into a Zedwell hotel, which would be the first in Scotland if successful.

News imageA fire at a building on a city centre street at night