A massive fire that ravaged Edinburgh's former Debenhams building on Princes Street is causing an indefinite disruption to public transport in the city centre. The blaze, which saw 50 firefighters battle flames at its height in the early hours of Thursday, has left bus services rerouted and the tram network severely curtailed.
Images from the scene reveal the roof of the B-listed building is completely destroyed, with other sections suffering extensive damage. The site was being transformed into Scotland's first Zedwell hotel before the devastating fire, which has halted all work at the site indefinitely.
An investigation into the cause of the blaze, led by Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), is currently underway. Access to the building for investigators had been delayed due to safety concerns about its structural integrity, but this has since been granted. Meanwhile, a large section of Rose Street and Rose Street South Lane remains closed as a result of the incident.
Lothian Buses' Chief Operating Officer, Willie Hamilton, acknowledged the "significant challenge" posed by the closure, which is having a ripple effect across Edinburgh's public transport network. He urged commuters to regularly check travel information, as the situation may change frequently. The city's tram network is currently operating on a reduced schedule, only running between the west end and the airport.
City of Edinburgh Council leader, Jane Meagher, warned that disruption was "inevitable" and advised public transport users to plan their journeys accordingly. While it's too early to confirm when Princes Street will reopen, the ongoing closures present additional challenges as Edinburgh prepares for its busy festival season at the end of July, which typically involves further road closures.