9am Briefing: Woman in hospital after flat blaze

A WOMAN was in a serious condition in hospital today after a blaze broke out at a flat in Leith.

The 46-year-old was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary after the fire in a ground floor flat at The Shore.

One resident in the block, who didn't want to be named, said the woman had been sitting outside her flat with her partner enjoying the sunshine just a few hours before the fire broke out at 9.30pm.

• Swimmers at Whitburn Leisure Centre saw a light fitting explode in the ceiling above them shortly before fire broke out and destroyed the building, it has emerged.

The pool building was yesterday being demolished in the wake of the fire, which tore through the leisure centre on West Main Street on Saturday.

Seven members of staff led all 40 customers from the building when the fire broke out just before 2pm, with some having to flee the leisure centre in their bathing costumes, wrapped in foil blankets for warmth.

• The proposed new army super barracks at Kirknewton could cost as much as 400 million, it was reported today.

The amount is far more than is likely to be raised from the sale of army bases in Edinburgh.

Defence Secretary Liam Fox announced last week that the Capital's Dreghorn and Redford barracks and the divisional headquarters at Craigiehall would be closed and sold off, while a new modern barracks for up to 2000 soldiers would be built at Kirknewton.

The Queen is to pay 40,000 out of her own pocket to make up for five days' lost revenue while the Palace of Holyroodhouse is closed for granddaughter Zara's wedding.

The palace will be closed to the public from Wednesday until Monday so Zara and rugby ace Mike Tindall can have their reception there after marrying at nearby Canongate Kirk on Saturday.

The couple are also to host a private pre-wedding party on board the former royal yacht Britannia on Friday night.