Police treating fire at derelict hospital in Dumfries as deliberate

Police are investigating after a derelict hospital in Dumfries was deliberately set on fire.

Emergency services were called to the blaze at Nithbank Hospital on Wednesday.

Seven fire engines were sent to the scene of the ‘well-developed’ fire that had broken out on the ground floor of the building around 4.25pm.

Crews worked for four hours to bring the fire under control and stayed in the area until early Thursday morning, with the last fire engine leaving the scene just after 7am.

No injuries were reported.

Police have confirmed they are now treating the fire as wilful and say investigations are ongoing.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 4.26pm on Wednesday, October 9, to reports of a well-developed fire within the ground floor of the former Nithbank Hospital in Dumfries and Galloway.

“Operations Control mobilised seven fire appliances and firefighters extinguished a fire affecting a derelict building.

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

Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 5.35pm on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, we were called to a report of a fire at the derelict Nithbank Hospital, Dumfries.

“Enquiries are continuing into the cause of the fire which is currently being treated as wilful.”