9am Briefing: Police probe suspicious blaze after four saved from flat

POLICE were today investigating a suspicious fire after four residents were rescued from a block of flats in the early hours of this morning.Fire crews were called to the four-storey building in Muirhouse Grove after a blaze in the doorway of a top-floor flat left three occupants trapped at around 4am.

Eight firefighters wearing breathing gear managed to lead two occupants trapped in the flat to safety, but had to use a hose to clear a path before getting to a third trapped resident.

The three occupants, a woman and two men in their early 20s, were checked over by paramedics at the scene, a spokeswoman for the fire service said. A man in his fifties was also rescued from a neighbouring flat.

• COUNCILLOR Gordon Mackenzie, the city's transport convener, has hit back at comments Alex Salmond made at the weekend that the city's beleaguered trams project is a waste of money and should never have gone ahead.

Mr Salmond said as soon as the city's roads were dug up he knew the 545 million project was a "recipe for disaster".

Mr Mackenzie today said Mr Salmond's "comments fail to acknowledge the transport and economic development issues facing Edinburgh."

• A 21-YEAR-OLD man is being treated in hospital after being hit by a car being chased by police.

The pedestrian was struck by a car on Great Stuart Street in Edinburgh yesterday afternoon.

The victim was taken to hospital but it is not thought his injuries are life-threatening.

The driver of the car was detained by police near the Dean Bridge and was set to appear in court today.

• A MAN and woman were set to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today in connection with the recovery of 200,000 worth of cocaine at a city hotel.

The couple, a male aged 34 and a woman aged 33, were detained and charged with both supply and intent to supply drugs.