Blaze rips through Edinburgh flats after 'laptop caught fire' forcing residents to flee
Flames tore through an Edinburgh building last night after a laptop reportedly caught fire forcing residents to flee their homes over fears the roof may collapse.
Emergency services raced to Colinton Road opposite George Watson's College, at 6.40pm on Sunday, July 14, after reports of the blaze.
Cops locked down the scene, throwing up a cordon around several streets in the area as fire crews tackled the blaze. There were no casualties in the fire.
Morningside Councillor Marie-Clair Munro was at the scene of the incident. The Tory councillor claimed a police officer confirmed the fire was caused by a burning laptop which then spread to the roof of the building.
Posting a video on Facebook last night, she said: "I'm here at Colinton Road. I've just spoken with police officers regarding the incident that is taking place. A fire has broken out just opposite George Watson's College in a block of flats.
"Firstly, I'd just like to reassure residents that everybody in the flats is safe and well, which is fantastic news.
"Police officers have told me that there was an electrical fault, a laptop caught fire and that fire then went through the building. It went right up to the roof and at the moment they are concerned that the roof may collapse.
"Residents in the houses around the area have been told that they can stay in their properties as there is no danger to them but police have told me they will be working through the night, with the fire brigade, to keep this blaze under control.
"So if you use this area, if you live in my ward, avoid tomorrow as the road will be closed for some time. As you can see, the police officers behind me and the fire brigade are working hard. They have done a sterling job, but the incident is still ongoing."
The building was evacuated and nine fire and height appliances were at the scene, with five still in place on Monday morning. The police cordon also remained in place on Monday, with officers in the area assisting the SFRS teams.
Lothian Buses said at around 7am on Monday morning: "Due to a road closure buses are unable to serve part of Colinton Road at George Watson's College and are instead diverted via Morningside Road, Balcarres Street, Craighouse Gardens and Myreside Road in both directions until further notice."
A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were alerted at 6.40pm on Sunday, July 14, to reports of a fire within a building on Colinton Road, Edinburgh. Five fire appliances remain at the scene. There are no reported casualties.
“At its height, nine fire appliances, including height appliances and specialist resources, were initially mobilised, and firefighters are working to extinguish the flames.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Colinton Road is closed between Mid Gillsland Road and Tipperlinn Road and South Ettrick Road is closed from Spylaw Road due to a fire and the public is asked to avoid the area.
"The incident was reported to police around 6.50pm on Sunday, 14 July, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is on the scene.
"No one has been injured but the building, a block of flats, has been evacuated. No other building is affected. There are no apparent suspicious circumstances and officers are in attendance to assist.