Firefighter in critical condition after Edinburgh fire

Five firefighters are being treated in hospital after a serious fire took hold in the centre of Edinburgh on Monday, according to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

One responder is in a critical condition, and the families of all those injured have been made aware, said Ross Haggart, the service’s Interim Chief Officer.

The chief has called the fire a “very serious and complex incident”, with 11 emergency vehicles still on the scene.

Crews were alerted to the fire at the now-closed Jenners department store building at 11:29am on Monday morning. The service said the first responders to the emergency found a building “well alight” upon arrival.

The Scottish Ambulance Service also attended the scene, allocating 14 vehicles to respond.

Images of the scene have been shared on social media, appearing to show the iconic old Jenners department store building alight and thick smoke was seen around the city centre.

Police Scotland confirmed they attended the scene to assist with “with road closures following a fire within a building on South St  David Street, Edinburgh”. Roads surrounding the scene remain closed.

In full, spokespeople provided the following statements.

Ross Haggart, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Interim Chief Officer: “The fire at the Jenners building in Edinburgh is a very serious and complex incident and regrettably I can confirm that five of our colleagues have been taken to hospital for treatment and one remains in a critical condition.

“The families of all those affected have been made aware.

“We currently remain at the scene with a total of 11 appliances and other specialist resources in attendance.”

Scottish Ambulance Service: “The Scottish Ambulance Service is currently in attendance at a fire in the former Jenners building on Princes Street, Edinburgh, alongside The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland. We received the call at 11.49hrs and have dispatched 14 resources to the scene.”

Police Scotland:  “Around 11.35 am on Monday, 23 January 2023, police were called to assist Scottish Fire and Rescue Service with road closures following a fire within a building on South St  David Street, Edinburgh.  Police and emergency services are currently at the scene. A number of roads have been closed in the surrounding area as a result.  Please avoid the area if possible and heed advice re alternative routes. No further details at this time.”

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Featured image credit: Dave Coulson

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