Charity up in flames twice in one month

A FIRE has devastated the home of a charity which provides help and support for lonely young people in Wester Hailes for the second time in as many weeks.

• A firefighter tackles last night's huge blaze.

The Dumbryden Road building - known as The Log Cabin - was completely destroyed in last night's blaze, which followed another fire at the premises on August 15.

The building 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.

A total of 19 firefighters battled the blaze, which broke out just before 6pm yesterday, but had to withdraw from the building at 6.30pm as the flames spread through the roof.

Police were also at the scene last night and the blaze is being treated as suspicious.

Anne Denholm, who lives nearby and chairs Wester Hailes Community Council, said: "I saw the smoke from the fire and my neighbour told me that the flames were shooting right out.

"I went down to have a look and it was really bad - I wouldn't be surprised if the fire brigade have to take the building right down.

"The roof has caved in and is gone completely."

She added: "It's really sad, the building has been there for years and it was beautiful inside. It was used for many, many things.

"We don't have that many buildings around Wester Hailes any more because of all the cuts. That's another building away that was being used by local people.

"It's sad because the building was being used for vulnerable children and that's their premises gone too. Where do we put them now?"

A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service said: "The building was well alight and firefighters used five lines of hose to fight the fire.

"The building was completely destroyed. It is nothing but a pile of rubbish now."

Nobody was injured in the blaze, which was finally extinguished at around 10.30pm.

After the initial fire earlier this month, which caused extensive damage to the inside of the building, Children 1st was looking at options for continuing the service, with one possible alternative being to find a space in the neighbouring Wester Hailes Youth Agency, which owns The Log Cabin and leased it out to Befrienders.

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 fireraising attacks following its closure. A police spokesman said: "An investigation is under way after a fire destroyed a building occupied by a charity in Wester Hailes last night.

"Anyone who was in the area at the time, who noticed anyone acting suspiciously, should contact police on 0131-311 3131, or Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111."