‘Suspicious’ fire in in capital’s Muirhouse church

A LARGE fire at a church in Edinburgh is being treated as suspicious by police.

St Paul's Church in the Muirhouse area of Edinburgh. Picture: Hemedia

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have been tackling a fire at St Paul’s Church on Muirhouse Avenue since 9.30pm on November 30.

At its height, 20 firefighters plus fire appliances using two height appliances were battling the flames. No one was injured.

On arrival firefighters were faced with a well alight two-storey building. The building was formerly used as a church but is now a derelict building.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used a line of hose to tackle the fire. Two water towers from the height appliances were used to extinguish the fire.

Crews worked tirelessly throughout the night and brought the blaze under control by just after midnight.

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Group Manager and Incident Commander, John Hanlin, said: “Crews were faced with a well-developed fire on arrival. The initial firefighting efforts were by teams using breathing apparatus and a line of hose which helped prevent further fire spread.

“We used the two height appliances for water towers to tackle the fire externally and managed to bring in under control.

“The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. A joint investigation by police and specialist fire investigators has been arranged and will take place today.”

SFRS crews were supported by Police Scotland, who set up an outer cordon at Pennywell Road and provided traffic control while emergency services tackled the fire.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “The fire is being treated as suspicious and anyone with information that can assist police with their enquiry is asked to come forward immediately.”

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