Edinburgh Princes Street Closed After Historic Fire

A major fire that destroyed the roof of a historic building on Edinburgh's Princes Street will force the thoroughfare to remain closed into August, disrupting the city during the upcoming festival season. The City of Edinburgh Council confirmed the extended closure on Tuesday, July 14, as work continues to secure the damaged structure.

The fire broke out around 3 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, at the site of the former Debenhams department store, a disused building known as the Blisted. Approximately 50 firefighters worked through the morning to bring the blaze under control, focusing on containing it to the building and preventing its spread to neighboring properties. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service reported no casualties, and crews left the scene on the morning of Friday, July 10. A joint investigation with Police Scotland into the cause of the fire is underway.

Council Leader Jane Meagher stated that making the building safe while preserving its historic features is a painstaking process expected to take several weeks. Consequently, Princes Street will remain closed between Frederick Street and South Charlotte Street to all vehicles and pedestrians. Significant transport...