Charity shop gutted by fire as blaze forces evacuation of homes

Homes in Edinburgh were evacuated after a fire gutted a charity shop in the early hours of the morning.

Fire crews attended the blaze on Morningside Road at around 3am on Friday, January 12, at a Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS) shop as nearby residents were evacuated.

No one was injured as a result of the fire but images show the shopfront covered in scorch marks and shattered glass.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service deployed four appliances including a specialist height appliance while police evacuated nearby properties as a precaution.

An investigation is under way to determine the cause of the fire.

CHSS confirmed no staff or volunteers were present at the time of the incident and that it is “looking forward” to re-opening the shop when possible.

A spokesperson said: “We were notified this morning of a fire at our retail premises in Morningside through the night. 

“Fortunately, no CHSS staff or volunteers were present at the time of the incident, and no one was harmed.   

“The Fire Brigade attended the fire in the early hours of this morning and were able to bring it under control. 

“They are currently undertaking an investigation into the incident in an attempt to understand the cause of the fire.

“As yet, we are not able to confirm when the store will be reopening, but we look forward to reopening as soon as possible and continuing to be a part of the vibrant Morningside community.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were alerted at 3.09am on Friday, January 12, to reports of a fire within a commercial premise at Morningside Road, Edinburgh.

“Operations Control mobilised three appliances and one specialist height appliance to the scene where crews extinguished the flames.

“Firefighters left after ensuring the area was made safe.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 3.25am on Friday, January 12, 2023, we were called to a report of a fire at a premises on Morningside Road, Edinburgh.

“Emergency services attended and the fire was extinguished by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

“Neighbouring properties were evacuated as a precaution and the residents have since returned. There are no reported injuries.

“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”