A firefighter is in critical condition as the force tackled a major fire in the former Jenners department store on Monday.

Five firefighters were hospitalised earlier today after battling flames that took hold of the building on Rose Street.  

Four have now been released after receiving treatment but one remains in hospital in critical condition.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) was called to the scene around 11.29am on Monday. 

After finding the building "well alight", a further eight fire appliances were called to assist the first two fire engines. 

By the afternoon, the figure had risen to a total of 22 appliances mobilised to the incident.

Almost eight hours later, 11 appliances remain at the scene. 

Interim chief officer of the SFRS Ross Haggart referred to the fire as a "very serious and complex incident". 

In the most recent update, he said: "The fire at the Jenners building in Edinburgh is a very serious and complex incident and regrettably I can confirm that five of our colleagues were taken to hospital for treatment.

"Four have now been discharged however one remains in a critical condition.

“The families of all those affected have been made aware.

“We currently remain at the scene with a total of 11 appliances and other specialist resources in attendance.”

 

Earlier in the day, thick billows of smoke had spread across other parts of the city including St Andrews Square.

The Herald:

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "We were alerted at 11.29am on Monday, January 23 to reports of a commercial building fire at Rose Street, Edinburgh.

“Operations Control has mobilised a total of 22 appliances and other specialist resources to the scene, where crews remain in attendance."

Meanwhile, Police Scotland confirmed a number of road closures 

Bus diversions were announced by Lothian buses due to the incident. 

It said: "Due to a road closure buses are unable to serve George Street and South St David Street and are instead diverted via George Street, Frederick Street and Princes Street heading northbound until further notice."

This includes the following bus numbers in the city: 5, 45, 49, 100, 7, 10, 11, and 14.

The building housed Jenners department for more than 100 years.