Suspicion as nursery and supermarket destroyed in huge blazes

Firefighters tackle the flames at the Pilton nursery

A disused nursery in West Pilton Grove, which was thought to contain asbestos, was destroyed by a blaze after its roof caught fire at around 7.45pm last night. More than 40 firefighters battled the thick smoke and flames for several hours. Environmental Health was also called to the incident.

A few hours later, a Co-op supermarket at the Bankton Retail Centre in Livingston was destroyed by a blaze that is believed to have been started deliberately.

The fire, which started outside the store at around 2.45am this morning, quickly ripped through the 250sq m building. CID are now investigating the incident, which also required more than 40 firefighters to tackle the blaze. Nobody is thought to have been injured at either fire.

A third blaze was started at 4.20am at a block containing both residential and retail properties.

The fire at Scotiabank House, on South Charlotte Street, was still being extinguished by more than 50 firefighters this morning. It is thought to have started in one of the upper floors of the six-storey building. It is not known if anybody was evacuated.

David Lockhart, Community Safety Manager at Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service, said: "It was a very busy 12-hour period. Three significant incidents in the same night has been a challenge and we had to bring additional resources from East Lothian, Midlothian and the Scottish Borders.

"We got several calls to attend the incident at West Pilton Grove and we found a large fire in a property that was boarded up, which posed a problem.

"There was a potential for asbestos to be involved, so we took steps to avoid risk to firefighters and local residents. Police advised those nearby to stay inside and keep doors shut.

"Investigations are ongoing and suspicious circumstances have not been ruled out. Police are now investigating.

"The fire in the Co-operative store also affected the nearby Sapphire Chinese restaurant. The Co-op was destroyed and the circumstances surrounding the fire, which was started at the side of the property, point to it not being accidental."

He added: "We don't know of the circumstances surrounding the fire at Scotiabank House. It appears to have started on one of the upper floors in a non-domestic area of the building. We have no idea yet if there is any suspicion."

A police spokeswoman appealed for witnesses to come forward.

LANDING FIRE STARTED DELIBERATELY

A FAMILY had to be ushered to safety from an eighth-floor flat after a fire was started deliberately on the landing outside.

The fire at Nisbet Court, Restalrig Park, broke out at around 11.45pm on Saturday night. A spokeswoman for the fire service said crews had found carpets on the eighth floor landing alight.

She added: "The flat's occupant was alerted by a dog that was barking and called the fire service who gave fire safety advice until crews were in attendance. The fire was started deliberately. One family was ushered to safety and all other occupants were advised to remain inside until crews had made the area safe."

No one was injured.

Fire crews also attended a fire at a house in Falcon Brae in Ladywell, Livingston at around 10.30pm on Saturday night.

Six firefighters in breathing apparatus carried out a search of the house to make sure no one was inside and crews extinguished the fire, which was confined to the ground floor. The incident is being looked into by fire investigators and the police.

Firefighters also yesterday battled two gorse fires in Bathgate, West Lothian.

The blazes, both on the same stretch of land south east of Bathgate, blew smoke over the town as firefighters battled to control them.

The first broke out close to Marchwood Crescent at around 2.30pm, and a second blaze, at Puir Wife's Brae, was reported at around 3.10pm and was brought quickly under control.