Safety fears after metal cladding blown loose at Leith tower block

A tower block in Leith remains cordoned off after cladding was blown loose in the high winds.

The city council has installed fencing while officers investigate the damage and carry out the required repairs.

Firefighters were called out to the 20-storey Citadel Court on Admiralty Street at around 8pm on Monday.

Aluminium sheeting on the exterior of the building was blown loose with fears for the safety of members of the public.

The fire service alerted Edinburgh City Council and its officers erected a cordon around the property, which is filled with both council and private tenants.

Citadel Court in Leith where cladding was blown loose in Monday night's high winds.

There were no injuries from last night’s incident.

Council officers remain at the tower block inspecting the building to ensure the area is made safe for residents.

A cherry picker is to attend the scene on Tuesday evening to start work to temporarily fix the loose piece of sheeting. Weather depending, the work may go into Wednesday.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted at 8.11pm on Monday, January 7 to reports of an unsafe structure in Edinburgh.

“Operations Control mobilised three fire engines to the city’s Admiralty Street, where firefighters assisted their partners.

“Crews thereafter left the scene.”

A Council spokesperson said: “We have taken the precautionary measure of cordoning off an area below the building while we investigate the damage. We are keeping all residents and neighbours updated and would like to reassure tenants that we are working as quickly as possible to make the section safe.”

Join our Facebook group Our Edinburgh to share images and news from and around the Capital