9am Briefing: Eight saved from tenement fire

EIGHT people were rescued from a fire in a city tenement today, including two who were plucked off the rooftop by firefighters.

The fire started in rubbish in the common stair of the Croall Place flats at around 4am. Fire crews used a hydraulic platform to guide residents to safety from their windows and rescued IT director Charlie Boisseau and his wife from the roof of the four-storey building.

Mr Boisseau, 25, who escaped to the roof via a fire exit, said: "I opened the front door and found thick black smoke and I couldn't see through it. It was bloody scary."

University gives greenlight to art college merger

THE University of Edinburgh has given the green light to a merger with the College of Art.

The university's governing body, the University Court approved the move yesterday.

Last week the board of the Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) also voted to back the plan.

Supporters say the move will safeguard the college's financial future. But critics say an alternative business model has not been fully considered.

Four in hospital after smash

FOUR people were taken to hospital after two vehicles collided in a head-on smash.

The two cars were travelling on the B1361 between Prestonpans and Wallyford when the collision took place near to Drum Mohr caravan park at around 4.30pm yesterday.

Four ambulances and a fast response vehicle rushed to the scene to treat a driver and two passengers, while firefighters removed the roof and doors of the other. A 53-year-old man was trapped within the car for around an hour.

AEGON to restructure

LIFE and pension company AEGON has announced it is to close parts of its business and axe senior management jobs as part of a restructuring of its UK business.

The company's third party pension administration and its employee benefits software businesses will be closed as they are not "core to its future proposition".

AEGON will retain its life insurance and protection business and the closed book of business of Guardian Financial Services following a review.