A fire tore through a former school in Perth in a “terrifying” blaze.
Emergency services were called to the derelict Balhousie Primary School on Dunkeld Road shortly after midnight on Sunday.
Firefighters remained at the scene for several hours, and residents in the surrounding area have been urged to keep their windows and doors closed due to smoke.
Dunkeld Road, Balhousie Street and Muirton Place remain closed.
Police evacuated a number of homes nearby as a precaution.
‘Terrifying’ fire breaks out at former Perth school
An eyewitness said: “When I came past, I saw that the fire had spread quickly with the whole roof engulfed in flames.
“Some of the roof fell in while I was watching, along with the tower, and there were a few loud bangs from the fire too.
“There was some concern about the levels of asbestos in the building, and I noticed that all the police there had masks on.
“They then began, with what looked like some Perth and Kinross Council workers, to evacuate the houses directly opposite and just on the corner into Dunkeld Road.
“Both the flames and the smoke were reaching pretty high — probably just as well it wasn’t too windy.
“There has to be credit given to the emergency services for their work. I heard some speaking to onlookers saying they had been on last weekend when there was the fire in town as well.”
A second eyewitness added: “I was sitting in a friend’s garden when I could see the smoke billowing.
“We quickly rushed around the corner to see what was happening.
“It was terrifying to see the flames.
“Police were ushering people away from the site.”
No injuries have been reported.
Man, 18, arrested and released following Perth fire
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “Dunkeld Road, Balhousie Street, and Muirton Place remain closed following a fire at a derelict building on Dunkeld Road, Perth, which was reported around 12.25am on Sunday, 22 June, 2025.
“Emergency services attended and the fire was extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
“A number of surrounding properties were evacuated as a precaution and residents have since been allowed to return to their homes. No one was injured.
“An 18-year-old man was arrested in connection and released pending further enquiries.
“The fire is being treated as unexplained and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.
“Motorists and pedestrians are asked to avoid the area.
“We would like to thank the public for their patience.”
Families displaced after overnight fire in Perth
Residents who lived closest to the blaze were moved into temporary accommodation overnight.
Local councillor Chris Ahern was at the scene of the fire on Sunday morning.
He said: “It is such a shame that the school building has been destroyed and to hear that someone has been arrested and it might be deliberate makes you angry.
“Our already stretched emergency services have for a second weekend in a row had to deal with a major fire at night.
“I did speak to a lot of the police on point to pass on my thanks for all they do and that many of them were still working hours after their shift had finished.
“I also praise the council officers who were working last night, and many of them were present last week and are still working on the response from that fire.”
MP Pete Wishart added: “This is the last thing Perth needed whilst still reeling from the trauma of last week’s devastating fire on Scott Street.
“I would like to thank the emergency services who have once again responded magnificently, arriving on the scene within minutes and working through the night to tackle the blaze.”
MSP Murdo Fraser said: ““I must praise the firefighters who had to battle this fire, and it was good to hear that some members of the local community helped with a local garage/petrol station providing water and coffee to firefighters, along with a nearby McDonald’s, who gave them some food.”
