A firefighter remains in a critical condition as emergency crews continue to monitor the historic Jenners building in Edinburgh after a blaze.
Five firefighters were injured during the incident at the former department store on Monday.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said four have since been discharged from hospital after treatment, but one is still apparently fighting for their life.
Speaking on Tuesday morning, Edinburgh City Council leader Cammy Day said the cause of the fire is still unknown, and that the SFRS along with a surveying team were investigating.
“Obviously there was construction work happening on the old Jenners building, so we’ll find out in the next coming days,” he said.
Emergency crews remain at the scene. Pic: @Whacko1875
The alarm was raised in the city’s Rose Street shortly before 11.30am.
On arrival, firefighters found the iconic building “well alight”.
At its height, 22 appliances and other specialist resources were sent to tackle the flames.
In an update on Tuesday morning, SFRS said crews were still at the scene with a single appliance to monitor the building for any remaining “hotspots”.
Five firefighters were injured in the blaze. Pic: @Whacko1875
Elena Whitham, Scotland’s community safety minister, said her thoughts were with the firefighters and their families.
She said: “Their sheer bravery and professionalism must be commended.
“Scotland’s communities are lucky to have our valued firefighters who stand ready to put their personal safety at risk in order to save others. We will continue to monitor the situation closely.”
Leith SNP councillor Adam McVey also praised the bravery of the emergency crews.
Posting on Twitter, he said: “Thoughts are with those firefighters injured tackling the fire at ‘Jenners’.
“A stark reminder of the danger they put themselves in to keep us safe.”
South St David Street and a number of surrounding roads were closed.
Pictures and video taken at the scene showed smoke billowing from the category A-listed building.
Marks & Spencer and the Mercure Hotel, in Princes Street, were closed and nearby buildings evacuated.
South St David Street and a number of surrounding roads were also shut off to traffic and pedestrians.
Lothian Buses has warned that services along George Street and South St David Street are still affected and will instead be diverted until further notice.
Ross Haggart, interim chief officer with SFRS, said: “The fire at the Jenners building in Edinburgh is a very serious and complex incident and regrettably I can confirm that five of our colleagues were taken to hospital for treatment.
“Four have now been discharged however one remains in a critical condition.
“The families of all those affected have been made aware.”
The building, which Jenners moved into in 1895, is one of the best known in the Scottish capital.
The closure of the store, which was then controlled by Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group, was announced in 2021.
Renovations are ongoing to transform it into a hotel, supported by a firm owned by fashion billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen.
