Probe begins after blaze wrecks flats

AN INVESTIGATION into the cause of a fire which destroyed a block of flats in the Capital has been launched.

Residents had to be evacuated from the flats at Saughton Mains Park, after a fire in a top-floor flat on Friday spread through the rest of the building.

More than 40 firefighters battled the blaze at its peak, while colleagues used breathing apparatus to check there was no-one left inside.

No-one was injured in the fire, but firefighters were still on site more than 24 hours after the blaze started to ensure it was fully extinguished.

It is understood that the block, which has a total of 16 council and privately-owned flats, will not be habitable for several months.

A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that specialist fire investigators had now started examining the building.