Firefighters tackle major blaze on Edinburgh's Princes Street

Firefighters are tackling a large blaze which broke out at a disused building on Edinburgh's Princes Street in the early hours.

Crews were sent to the scene next to the old Debenhams building about 02:50 with seven fire engines and three specialist vehicles.

Videos of the fire on social media show large flames emerging from the two top floors of the building with smoke billowing into the street.

By 08:00, the flames appeared to have been brought under control leaving the building with extensive fire damage, particularly on the upper floors and roof.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said the incident was still ongoing. Police are on the scene and said inquiries are ongoing.

Princes Street, Frederick Street and Castle Street are closed and police have urged people to avoid the area.

Trams in the area have been disrupted, with services running part route from Edinburgh Airport to West End only.

Edinburgh Trams said tickets will be accepted by ScotRail between Edinburgh Gateway and Edinburgh Waverley and on Lothian bus services between West End and Newhaven.

Lothian Buses said a number of services had been diverted.

River Island and Levi's had shops on the ground floor of the building but both units closed.

Debenhams closed in May 2021 following a large fire that April.

In 2021, Legal and General planned a £50m revamp of the building including a 207-room boutique hotel and "hospitality hub", but this fell through.

The old department store site was then bought by Criterion Capital, the development company headed up by billionaire Asif Aziz.

He planned to turn it into a Zedwell hotel, which would be the first in Scotland if successful.