Guests evacuated as fire breaks out at iconic Scottish hotel

GUESTS staying at an iconic Scottish hotel were forced to evacuate after a fire broke out in the basement.

Fire crews raced to Princes Street in Edinburgh after the alarm was raised just before 11pm last night.

A large crowd gathered outside The Balmoral in the capital after it was evacuated.

Guests were asked to leave after a fire broke out within the basement.

Four fire engines and a height vehicle were deployed to the scene.

Crews were able to stand down at around midnight.

There were no reports of injuries.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 10.53pm on Sunday, May 26, to reports of a fire within the basement of the Balmoral Hotel on Princes Street, Edinburgh.

“Operations Control mobilised four fire engines and a height appliance to the scene, where crews extinguished the fire.

“There were no casualties, and crews left the scene after ensuring the area was made safe.”