Firefighters tackle 'major' blaze in primary school classroom
5 February 2020, 20:56
Firefighters have been tackling a "major" blaze in Edinburgh that has forced a primary school to close down.
The building will be shut for the rest of the week after a fire tore through a "first floor classroom and spread to the roof space," causing significant damage to the school.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service sent nine fire engines to Liberton Primary School on Gilmerton Road at 3:33 pm on Wednesday.
Classes had fortunately finished for the day before the "well-developed" inferno could claim any casualties.
All remaining staff and pupils were evacuated from the school safely.
City of Edinburgh Council confirmed the school's closure for Thursday and Friday ahead of next week's half-term February break.
Education convener Ian Perry said: "The decision to close the school has not been taken lightly, however unfortunately this has been a major fire which has caused significant damage to a large part of the school.
"There have been no reported injuries and I want to thank the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and council teams for their swift response.
"We'll update parents next week regarding contingency arrangements. We will work closely with the fire service to determine the cause of the fire."
An SFRS spokesman earlier said: "We were alerted at 3:33pm on Wednesday 5 February to reports of a fire within a school in Edinburgh.
"Operations control mobilised a total of nine appliances to Liberton Primary School on Gilmerton Road, where firefighters were met by a well-developed fire.
"Crews currently remain on the scene working to extinguish the fire.
"There are no reported casualties."
Roads around the school had been closed "for some considerable time" and motorists were asked to avoid the area until further notice.
Residents were also advised to temporarily keep their windows closed.
In a separate incident earlier on Wednesday, fire crews tackled a "well-developed" blaze at Watsonians Clubhouse on Myreside Road, close to George Watson's College.
Authorities were alerted at around 9:20am and seven fire engines were rushed to the scene, along with a high-reach vehicle.
Pictures on social media showed large plumes of smoke billowing from the property.
