9am news briefing

FIRE crews were called out twice to a derelict building in Muirhouse last night – just a day after yobs set it ablaze – when gangs of youths tore down new safety railings and invaded the housing block.

Demolition experts Safedem had set up new fences and a guardhouse yesterday after youths stripped metal from the apartment block on Muirhouse Parkway as it burned around them.

But last night firefighters were called to the same address on two occasions after yobs tore through the defences and set more fires.

Rocks and stones were hurled at the fire crews as they battled the flames shortly before 8pm.

They attended a second fire in the building just before 10pm but did not come under attack on that occasion.

Police are investigating.

• CONTROVERSIAL plans to close more than half the coastguard stations around Britain and cut the opening hours of those that remain are to be abandoned due to concerns that the cuts would put lives at risk, it was reported today.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has decided to redesign the planned overhaul after an outcry from coastal communities and widespread opposition from Conservative MPs.

The plans to modernise coastguard services involved reducing the number of coastguard bases from 18 to eight across the country, including the closure of Fife Ness, which covers the Firth of Forth.

• A WOMAN had to be cut free from her car after it collided with a tour bus in Corstorphine.

The 23-year-old suffered minor injuries but was trapped in the vehicle after the crash on Glasgow Road yesterday evening.

Fire crews used equipment to free the woman. No-one on board the bus was injured.

• POLICE are appealing for the return of a dog's missing medication, which could be extremely harmful if taken by humans.

The dog's owner lost the veterinary medicine somewhere in the Loanhead area between 3.30 and 4.30pm yesterday.

Police have urged anyone who finds it to hand it in to a police station.