Hundreds of people were evacuated from buildings in the Holyrood area of Edinburgh following a fire on Thursday afternoon.
The blaze broke out at Hammermen’s Entry, near Holyrood Road, with photos showing a plume of black smoke rising from the area.
Locals also described hearing explosions.
Firefighters and police were called to the scene with Holyrood Road closed between Viewcraig Street and Dumbiedykes Road for several hours.
The fire is said to have started at an electrical sub-station and spread to a neighbouring car.
ICYMI: Holyrood Road is *CLOSED* due to a building fire between Viewcraig Street and Dumbiedykes Road. Police are currently directing traffic, but avoid the area if you can! #edintravel
— Edinburgh Travel News (@edintravel) July 4, 2019
Homes and offices were evacuated as emergency services dealt with the incident.
An Edinburgh Police statement read: “We are assisting @fire_scot at a fire near Holyrood Road.
“The road remains closed between Holyrood Park and Pleasance and the pubic are asked to avoid the area where possible.
“No injuries have been reported and neighbouring properties evacuated as a precaution.”
Later the force updated: “Holyrood Road has reopened following the earlier fire.
“We remain at the scene with @fire_scot and a joint investigation to establish the cause will be conducted.
“Please note Hammermen’s Entry remains closed at this time. Thank you for your patience whilst the incident was ongoing.”
#HolyroodRoad has reopened following the earlier fire. We remain at the scene with @fire_scot & a joint investigation to establish the cause will be conducted. Please note #HammermensEntry remains closed at this time.
Thank you for your patience whilst the incident was ongoing.
— Edinburgh Police (@EdinburghPolice) July 4, 2019
BREAKING: Homes and businesses evacuated after fire breaks out in the Holyrood area of Edinurgh https://t.co/N86kwnkHyN pic.twitter.com/aVR8BwII41
— BBC Scotland News (@BBCScotlandNews) July 4, 2019
FIRE – HOLYROOD RD
We are assisting @fire_scot at a fire near #HolyroodRoad.
The road remains closed between #HolyroodPark & #Pleasance and the pubic are asked to avoid the area where possible.
No injuries have been reported & neighbouring properties evacuated as a precaution. pic.twitter.com/o89vMlyTzd
— Edinburgh Police (@EdinburghPolice) July 4, 2019
