Disruption after Aberdeen esplanade blaze

Ten fire appliances from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were deployed to tackle the fire at Jimmy Chung’s bar and Chinese buffet on the city’s Beach Esplanade.

Police Scotland confirmed this afternoon that businesses in the Beach Esplanade area, apart from the Inversnecky Cafe and Pavilion, had reopened to pedestrians following the fire.

Fire crews were called to the scene shortly before 4.30am as the blaze threatened to spread to a neighbouring seafood restaurant.

There was no-one in the building.

A force spokeswoman said: “The Beach Esplanade road remains closed to traffic and is likely to be closed for the next few days until the building is deemed safe. The cause of the fire is currently unexplained and a joint fire and police investigation will start in due course.”

Inspector Iain MacLelland said: “I would like to thank the business community for their support while the emergency services deal with this incident. The area around the Beach Boulevard is now open for pedestrians and most businesses are now open. However, members of the public should be aware that there will be some disruption for traffic whilst the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service deal with the fire and until the building is structurally safe.”