Five people rushed to hospital after fire tears through three-storey tenement in Edinburgh

Five people have been rushed to hospital after a fire broke out at a three-storey building in the Leith area of Edinburgh.

Around 30 firefighters were called to the scene of the blaze, which broke out on Bonnington Road at the corner with Great Junction Street in the city, around 2.30am on Tuesday morning.

Residents were evacuated and five people were taken to hospital after the fire broke out.

Crews from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) required seven engines and a specialist height appliance to tackle the flames.

Several roads in the area remain closed over 12 hours on from the incident.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 2.35am on Tuesday, November 15 to reports of a building on fire at Bonnington Road, Edinburgh.

“Operations Control mobilised six fire appliances and two height vehicles to a fire affecting a flat within a three-storey building.”

Police say they are not treating the fire as suspicious, but added enquiries into the cause remain ongoing.

Drivers have been advised to avoid the area if possible.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We received a report of a fire at a property on Bonnington Road, Edinburgh, around 3am on Tuesday, November 15.

“Emergency services attended and five people were taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary as a precaution.

“A number of surrounding properties were evacuated. The fire is not believed to be suspicious however enquiries are ongoing into the cause.”

They added: “Bonnington Road at Swanfield, Cables Wynd at Mill Lane and Great Junction Street between Henderson Street and Bangor Road are currently closed.

“Drivers are asked to avoid the area and plan ahead.”