EMERGENCY services still “cannot enter” a historic building on Princes Street in Edinburgh due to safety fears after it was engulfed by fire in the early hours of the morning.
Emergency services were called to the old Debenhams building in the city centre at around 2.52am on Thursday following reports of a blaze breaking out in the building.
Firefighters will remain at a building on Edinburgh’s Princes Street for “quite a considerable time”, a senior officer has said, following the blaze which caused “significant damage”.
Deputy assistant chief officer Willie Pollard, of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), said the blaze at the building had been put “well under control” and crews are currently dampening down hot spots.
The roof and top floors of the disused B-listed building have been destroyed, leaving the rest of the structure blackened and charred inside.
Six fire engines and two specialist appliances, along with around 50 firefighters, were on the scene at the height of the incident.
There were no reported casualties and road closures will remain in place.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said that firefighters and officers are unable to enter the building because it is deemed unsafe.
They added that work is ongoing to ensure the area is made safe and that officers are in the early stage of their investigation into the blaze.
The spokesperson said: “Emergency services remain in attendance following a fire at a disused building on Princes Street, Edinburgh.
“Officers were called to assist the Scottish Fire and Rescue around 3.05am on Thursday, 9 July, 2026. There are no reported injuries.
“Firefighters and officers cannot enter the building as, at this time, it is deemed not safe to enter. Work is ongoing to ensure the area is made safe and enquiries are at an early stage.
“The surrounding area of Princes Street remains closed, along with Rose Street, Frederick Street and Castle Street.
“Members of the public are advised to avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed where possible.
“A joint investigation is ongoing to establish the cause of the fire.”
Speaking to the media on Princes Street, Pollard said: “This has been a complex and challenging incident in a busy city centre location and I would like to commend our firefighters and Operations Control staff for their tireless efforts and professionalism throughout.
“Crews worked in demanding conditions to bring the fire under control and successfully contain it to the affected building, which was undergoing construction works and has suffered extensive damage.
“Their actions helped prevent the spread of fire to neighbouring buildings and significantly reduced the wider impact of this incident.”
He added: “At the minute we’re dampening down any hot spots or any residual burning that may be in the building.
“The fire has been quite significant, as you can see, and we will be in attendance for quite a considerable time moving forward.
“And we understand the disruption that will have to the local community.”
He thanked crews who worked “tirelessly” to bring the fire under control.
The senior officer advised those living nearby to keep windows and doors closed.
An investigation into the fire, which involves Police Scotland, has been under way throughout the day, he said.
