TwitterA large fire has closed George IV Bridge in Edinburgh city centre, with smoke billowing from the building in which JK Rowling wrote the Harry Potter novels.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Scottish Ambulance Service and Police Scotland are in attendance.
Smoke could be seen pouring from above The Oz Bar on Candlemaker Row, home to The Elephant House Cafe on George IV Bridge.
TwitterSeveral roads in the area have been closed as emergency services tackle the blaze which broke out on Tuesday morning.
Members of the public have been asked to avoid the area if possible.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: “We were alerted at 6.18am on Tuesday, August 24, to reports of a building on fire at George IV Bridge, Edinburgh.
“Operations Control mobilised nine appliances and two height vehicles to the scene where firefighters are tackling a fire affecting a number of properties.
“Crews are still in attendance.”
A spokesperson for Edinburgh Police said: “Our officers are currently assisting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service dealing with a large fire at George IV Bridge.
“Please be aware that there are numerous road closures in the vicinity of George IV Bridge and Candlemaker Row at present and avoid the area where possible.”
TwitterA Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We received a call at 0639 hours today to attend an incident at George IV Bridge in Edinburgh with our first resource arriving on scene at 0646.
“We dispatched two ambulances, one advanced paramedic and our special operations team to the scene.”
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