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In the early hours, a significant fire erupted at an unoccupied building located on Princes Street in Edinburgh, adjacent to the former Debenhams store. Fire crews responded swiftly around 2:50 AM, deploying seven fire engines along with three specialized vehicles to manage the situation. Dramatic footage shared on social media captured intense flames leaping from the building’s upper two floors, sending thick smoke across the street.
By 8:00 AM, firefighters had made considerable progress, bringing the blaze largely under control. Despite this, the structure suffered extensive damage, especially affecting the top floors and the roof area. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the incident was still active, while police remained on site conducting ongoing investigations. Authorities closed Princes Street, Frederick Street, and Castle Street, advising the public to steer clear of the vicinity.
The fire caused disruptions to local transport, notably impacting tram services which were only running between Edinburgh Airport and the West End. Edinburgh Trams announced that passengers could use ScotRail tickets between Edinburgh Gateway and Edinburgh Waverley and access Lothian bus services from West End to Newhaven. Meanwhile, Lothian Buses reported that several routes had been diverted due to the incident. Ground-floor retail units formerly occupied by River Island and Levi’s within the building were closed, and pedestrians were redirected through Princes Street Gardens to avoid the affected area.
This location holds a history of fire damage, as Debenhams had previously shut down in May 2021 following a major fire the year prior. Legal and General once had plans to invest £50 million in redeveloping the site, with proposals including a boutique hotel and hospitality center, but these plans did not materialize. Subsequently, the property was acquired by Criterion Capital, led by Asif Aziz, who intended to convert it into Scotland’s first Zedwell hotel, although those plans remain uncertain following the recent fire
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