A fire-hit Perth flat block is set to be demolished immediately.
50 families have been left homeless and several businesses had to close after the fatal blaze on Scott Street.
Councillor Eric Drysdale said the building is a “serious risk to health and safety” and will require “complete demolition”.
The Perth and Kinross Deputy Leader said: “The structure has been made unsafe and no part of it is salvageable.
“As things stand, the building is a serious risk to health and safety.
“Unfortunately, this means that the whole building will require complete demolition.
“This will be an extremely complex process, and specialist demolition contractor Reigart has been appointed to carry out the task.
“The building will require careful demolition from the top, down to ground level and this will take some time to complete.
He said: “The prognosis is very bad. It’s a severely structurally damaged and old building and will have to come down – every bit of it.
“It’s a large building, four levels of flats above, and also shops underneath. The whole thing is a goner, I’m afraid.
“The demolition will start immediately.”
Demolition of the building is expected to take around 24 weeks and sections of Scott Street and South Street will remain closed.
Households who live in blocks close to the site have been asked to move out while demolition work takes place, with alternative accommodation provided.
People who live at 33 Scott Street will have to be rehoused for the duration of the works.
It is hoped some will be able to move back into their homes after 16 weeks.
A new traffic layout is being configured to allow the free flow of traffic and temporary bus stops will be put in place.
Meanwhile, business owners say they fear for the future of their firms, as Scott Street and South Street remain closed.
A crane arrived to assess the building’s structure today.
Ellen Fulton runs This Little Stitch on Scott Street.
It’s been a “double whammy” for the business owner, who had to close her shop after her flat was devastated in the fire.
Ellen, 31, and her partner were rescued by an aerial fire appliance from their bedroom window on Saturday. 10 minutes later, their bedroom was “engulfed in flames”.
‘Double whammy’ for Scott Street business owner whose flat was ‘engulfed in flames’
Ellen told The Courier: “We are never going to get back into our home.
“We are staying with family temporarily until Thursday, but after that, we don’t know where we are.
“We are being helped by the housing team, which is going to hopefully find us somewhere to live.
“Obviously, there are so many of us who have lost our homes now.
“Nobody is getting back in to even see if there is anything left. Everything is gone.
“It’s awful, but honestly, I’m just glad to be alive. That’s what really matters here.”
Steve Black, who runs the Royal Bar on the ground floor, claimed this afternoon that he had not been told if he could return to his pub.
Business owners in limbo after Perth fire
He said: “Despite meeting with council officials on Monday, I’ve still not been given any indication as to when I’ll be able to go back inside the pub.
“Given that the bar is right below the fire, I’m anticipating there will be a substantial amount of damage, especially given the huge amount of water used to put the fire out.
“So far, I’ve been told very little about the state of the building or the pub, and cannot venture past the general cordon.
“I have no idea whatsoever if I actually still have a bar and a business.”
Steve, who has worked at the Royal Bar for the past 16 years, took over the tenancy of the bar around three years ago.
He first heard about the fire when a landlord from another pub called him in the early hours of Saturday morning.
He added: “I’d left the bar early on Friday as it wasn’t too busy and left a colleague to lock up.
“Then I got a call around 2am from another pub landlord saying the building was on fire.
“I live on Scott Street, just a short distance from the Royal, so I ran down there.
“The building was already well alight, which was devastating to see.
“The flames were like nothing I’ve ever seen before.”
Another Scott Street business owner, who does not want to be named, says he has also not been told when he can return to his shop, which is inside the cordon.
He said: “We have not been told when or if we’ll be able to return.
“Our thoughts at this time are with the family and friends of the person who died in the fire.”
Perth and Kinross Council says it will support businesses affected by the road closure.
In a statement released on Monday night, Councillor Drysdale added: “The people of Perth and local businesses have responded to this sad event with huge compassion and generosity.
“It has been heartening to see our local community pull together to help people at their time of greatest need.
“We would appreciate everyone’s ongoing co-operation and understanding as we deal with this difficult situation.
“We understand that the disruption to the city centre will bring frustrations, but we are committed to completing the work as soon as we can and most importantly, to continue support for the people and businesses who have been directly affected by the fire.”
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