Charity for lonely youngsters left homeless after fire guts building

THE home of a charity which provides help and support for lonely young people in Wester Hailes may have to be torn down following a mysterious fire which gutted the premises.

The Dumbryden Road building is known as The Log Cabin and is home to Wester Hailes Befrienders, a charity run by Children 1st which provides a support service for young people who are having difficulties at home, in school or in their community.

Several fire engines, including a command unit and a fire investigation team, were called to the building at around 9.30pm on Sunday night and arrived to find it well alight.

Police have said that the investigations are currently underway to establish whether the fire was started deliberately.

Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were able to bring the fire under control, but the damage to the inside of the building was extensive.

Anne Houston, chief executive of Children 1st, said: "The fire has destroyed everything within the building and we're currently assessing whether the building itself can be saved. It's been absolutely gutted inside.

"Around 25 vulnerable children and young people from across Edinburgh were currently using this centre. The service pairs children with volunteers who will spend time with them and take them out on activities.

"The children, our volunteers and all the staff at Children 1st are devastated.

"It's not clear at this stage whether we will be able to operate alternative arrangements for the children but it is something we are looking into."

Children 1st is currently looking at options for continuing the service, with one possible alternative being finding a space in the neighbouring Wester Hailes Youth Agency which owns The Log Cabin and leased it out to Befrienders.

Local councillor Eric Milligan said: "I'm very distressed to hear there has been a fire at the premises of this much-needed service.

"We all know that there are a number of people who are sad because they are lonely and isolated, and need a friend who they can trust more than anything else.

"Projects such as this ensure that people who find themselves in this situation have someone to lean on."

Anne Denholm, who lives nearby and chairs Wester Hailes Community Council, said she was shocked by the damage to what she described as "a vital service".

She said: "The service does a lot of good work with youngsters and is very popular."

The centre is just yards from the site of the former Dumbryden Primary School, which was condemned last year after it became a regular target for vandalism and arson attacks following its closure.

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