9am Briefing: 50 homes evacuated as blaze rips through warehouse

SCORES of residents had to be evacuated from their homes after a fire ripped through a builder's warehouse and threatened to blow up flammable cylinders.

Police set up a 300 metre cordon and evacuated at least 50 homes in Armadale, West Lothian, while around 50 firefighters battled the fierce blaze last night at the builders' merchants in High Academy Street.

The fire was so severe that the building has now collapsed.

Pupils heading to Armadale Primary School today had to take a diverted route through Avondale Drive and St Margaret's Drive. All other roads surrounding the building remain closed this morning due to the continuing risk of explosion from the gas cylinders.

Hero teenager saves children

A TEENAGER has been hailed a hero after risking his own life to save two young children from drowning.

Aaron Love was out cycling in Livingston when he saw the two youngsters struggling in the water.

The 15-year-old jumped in and managed to pull them both to safety.

The brother and sister – thought to be aged five and eight – had been playing on a stretch of water near Lizzie Bryce roundabout when they got into difficulty.

Now Aaron, from Murieston, is in line to win a bravery award after being nominated by officers from Lothian and Borders Police.

Fosters to back Fringe comedy prize

ORGANISERS of Britain's most famous comedy prize were celebrating today after securing a new sponsor.

The former Perrier awards, which for 25 years has recognised the best comedian at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, will now be backed by Australian drinks giant Foster's in a reported 150,000 deal.

Perrier pulled out of the awards in 2005, but a new deal with banking firm Intelligent Finance lasted just three years before the global financial crisis led to the arrangement being cancelled.

Bridge plans go to parliament

PLANS to build a new 2.3 billion bridge across the Firth of Forth are set to come before MSPs today.

A Holyrood committee has already backed the proposals for the crossing, and this afternoon the Scottish Parliament will debate the general principles of the project.

Earlier this month members of the Forth Bridge Crossing Bill Committee said they were "satisfied" with the general Bill, but added that steps should be taken to ensure minimal disruption while the bridge is built.