Firefighters tackle blaze at historic building on Edinburgh’s Princes Street

Firefighters at the scene of the blaze at the old Debenhams building on Princes Street in Edinburgh. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire.

Firefighters are tackling a blaze at a historic building on Princes Street in Edinburgh.

Emergency services were called to the blaze at the old Debenhams building in the city centre at 2.52am on Thursday.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said seven fire engines and three specialist appliances were on the scene at 6.45am.

Pictures posted on social media during the night showed flames and plumes of smoke rising from the area.

There were no reports of any injuries.

Large parts of Princes Street have been cordoned off as firefighters tackle the blaze in the B-listed building.

Passers-by spoke of their sadness over the incident. Graham Reed, 59, from Edinburgh, said: “It’s such a shame.

“It’s an iconic building, and it’s such a shame that yet another one’s gone up in flames on Princes Street.

“It’s just a shame to see it because we lost a couple, there was one down in Jenners as well that went up in flames a few years back.

“It’s a shame it happens.” 

Another man, who gave his name as Sotirs, 36, and was on his way to work in Edinburgh, said: “I feel sad because it looks like a classic building and I feel bad because they make the city much more beautiful and it’s a nice building.” 

Tram services in the area have been disrupted and some bus services have been diverted.

Edinburgh Trams said that trams are running a part route from Edinburgh Airport to the West End only.

It said that ticket acceptance is in place with ScotRail between Edinburgh Gateway and Edinburgh Waverley (St Andrew Square) and on Lothian Buses between the West End and Newhaven.

Lothian Buses said that some services in the area have been diverted.