Residents and business owners say they are facing months of uncertainty after a devastating fire in Perth city centre.
About 50 families have been forced to leave their homes after Saturday morning’s blaze on Scott Street, which left one man dead and four others in hospital.
Several businesses have also been forced to close while the fire-hit building is being demolished.
Some residents may be able to return after 16 weeks, but the council says the work could last until December.
Ashleigh Sandeman has lived in the flat directly opposite the fire-hit building on Scott Street for just over a year.
She was forced to evacuate and has no idea when she will return.
‘I went to work – when I returned, I was told to pack a bag and leave’
She told The Courier: “Our flat is just across the road from the ones that caught fire.
“We watched the fire all night and then I went to work on the Saturday morning.
“When I came back from work at 6.30pm, I was told by an officer that I couldn’t go to my flat, even though my partner was already in it.
“By 9pm on Saturday, we were evacuated and my partner packed a small bag, and we had to leave.
“Fortunately, we had a friend’s house to go and stay at, and the police and council phoned to check we had somewhere to go.”
Ashleigh says “everything is all over the place” as she tries to get answers on what the future holds.
She continued: “We’re getting different answers everywhere we look.
“We’re also waiting for confirmation that we’re one of the flats that can return to their home after the 16 weeks.
“Also, (we are waiting to see) if we can get back into our flat for belongings, as we didn’t pack much.
“The council said to let them know how long we can stay at our friend’s house, and then they will find us somewhere to go.”
The local authority has put out several appeals for accommodation providers, such as private landlords or holiday let owners, to come forward and help those left homeless by the fire.
Ashleigh added: “It seemed at the weekend, businesses were getting answers before residents.
“We had no information until the day after it happened.
“It felt like there was a bit of a miscommunication between everyone and people were told different things.
“Everyone wants answers, and they want them now, it seems.
“I hope things become clear soon.”
Perth shop owner’s shock at 24-week closure
Shaun Ward, who runs Perth Photo Lab on Scott Street, found out about the fire on social media.
His shop is inside the cordoned-off area and faces being closed for months.
He told The Courier: “I went to a council meeting on Monday morning.
“At that point, I was still under the impression that I’d be able to open again at the end of the week.
“We then received an email that night saying that the road would be shut for 24 weeks, which they said basically means you won’t be able to open your shop for that amount of time.
“It was a bit of a shock.”
Shaun says his shop being closed means he cannot trade or make money.
He said: “I’m looking at other accommodation to trade somewhere else, temporarily or whatever.
“I’m looking at a couple of places, and people have offered me free space.
Trader needs space for customers
“It’s fine to use temporarily, but I need a space for the public to walk into.
“The other issue is that I’m a school photographer and I have seven schools ongoing at the moment.
“All their orders are inside the shop, and I can’t get what I need to get them ready for next week.
“I’ve spoken to the council and the hope is that I can get in at the weekend, and I’ll be pulling out everything I can, and then I can hopefully set up somewhere else.”
Despite the challenges, Shaun is keen to help others affected by the fire.
He added: “If any of the neighbours who have been affected by the fire need any documentation or photos printed, once we get ourselves up and running, we can do so free of charge.
“It has been frustrating, but we praise the council for everything they’re doing.”
Mark Taylor, who owns Fancy Dress Essentials on South Street, says road closures around the fire site are already hurting footfall.
Fancy dress shop owner may retire early due to impact of fire
“It’s hard to say the effect this will have on the business, as this is the first day we’ve been open,” he said on Tuesday.
“They’re saying it’s 24 weeks of this – that’s taking us up to Christmas.
“It’s the fact there is no traffic as well. The bus stop is usually so busy outside the shop.
“You are also losing all the people who are walking through the town.
“I wonder how we can let people know that some businesses are still open down here.
“I was going to retire in a year or two, but this might bring that forward.”
Conversation