Edinburgh Princes Street fire: Everything we know so far as emergency services battle major blaze

Emergency services were called to the major shopping street shortly before 3am following reports of a blaze, which sent orange flames and black smoke into the sky.

Crews remain at the scene, with a large section of the road cordoned off.

Here is everything we know so far about the incident.

When did the fire break out? Emergency response

Emergency services were called to reports of a fire inside a disused building on Princes Street at 2.52am on Thursday, July 9.

Seven fire engines and three specialist appliances were sent to the scene, with crews still on the scene hours later at 8.30am.

The road has been taped off, with police officers standing guard at either end of the cordon. Frederick Street and Castle Street are also closed.

Police Scotland have asked members of the public to avoid the area where possible.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Princes Street, Frederick Street and Castle Street remain closed and members of the public are asked to avoid the area where possible at this time.

“Emergency services remain in attendance and enquiries are ongoing. “

What do photos and videos from the scene show?

Video footage and images taken at the scene of the blaze earlier this morning show a major fire engulfing the Princes Street building.

Thick, black smoke can be seen billowing into the sky, with huge orange flames coming from the building.

Images taken at around 8.45am - six hours after the fire broke out - show fire crews at the scene hosing down the building.

Has anyone been injured?

Police said no injuries have been reported as a result of the fire.

The building was derelict at the time the blaze broke out.

Is public transport affected by the road closures? Tram and bus diversions

With Princes Street and surrounding streets closed due to the fire, there is disruption on public transport this morning.

Edinburgh Trams said services are currently running a part route between Edinburgh Airport and West End only.

For those affected, ticket acceptance is in place with ScotRail between Edinburgh Gateway and Edinburgh Waverley and on Lothian Buses between West End and Newhaven.

Lothian Buses said diversions were in place for a number of services which are unable to serve Princes Street.

A spokesman said buses will be diverted via South Charlotte Street, George Street and South St David Street in both directions until further notice.

The bus services affected are: 1, 3, 4, 10, 11, 15, 16, 19, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 37, 43, 44, 47, 100, 106, 113, 124, N3, N11, N16, N25, N26, N30, N37, X5, X6, X7, X19, X4, X18, X27, X28 and 47B.

What building was affected? Plans for site

The fire appears to have broken out in the upper floors of the building which housed the River Island and Levi’s stores, both of which closed.

Plans were submitted to turn the former River Island shop, which closed in September, into a branch of US fast food chain Chick-fil-A.