Desperate neighbours helped pull residents from a burning flat after it caught fire in the middle of the afternoon. Locals have described how one brave neighbour came to the scene on Granton Mains Brae with a ladder as the fire took hold at around 3pm on Tuesday.
He then helped the terrified residents from the top floor and to safety before flames could be seen engulfing the flat just moments later. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed two casualties were taken to hospital following the ordeal.
Dramatic footage and images from the scene could show black smoke rising from the roof and top floor of the property as firefighters tried to get the blaze under control. Pictures taken just 24 hours later show the devastation, with piles of rubble and fire-damaged furniture in the front garden.
Johnny Brown, who lives next door to the affected house, admits he had been oblivious to the fire before hearing a commotion outside.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, he said: "One of the neighbours from along the road, her son managed to get a ladder and climbed up to pull one of them out of the top floor, he essentially saved their life. After that, the room was engulfed in flames, so that guy is a hero.
"It was quite traumatic actually, a weird experience. There was a lot of damage, which obviously is really sad to see, nobody deserves that, but anything to get them back on their feet is worth it.
"Apart from a distinct smell of smoke downstairs, my house is relatively unharmed."
Johnny has now set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the family who he says is lucky to be alive. He hopes that the funds can be used to start the rebuilding process.
He added: "I just thought I'd try and help out in some way because if you look at the house it's completely destroyed. Everything has been thrown out of the window, it has been obliterated, which is really sad to see.
"This is the last thing you'd want for anybody so I was just trying to help out in any way I can. I was just about to leave for work an hour after it happened, I play guitar so I was just chilling and singing and never even noticed. Apparently the windows in the back garden had blown out.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 3.03pm on Tuesday, July 12 to reports of a house on fire at Granton Mains Brae, Edinburgh. Operations Control mobilised six fire appliances and one height vehicle and firefighters extinguished a fire affecting the first floor of a two storey property.
"Two casualties were in the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service and crews left after ensuring the area was made safe.”
For this wishing to donate to the fundraiser, you can do so here.
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