The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Suspicious fire destroys auction house premises.
Police and fire service are jointly investigating blaze they say is being treated as suspicious
The owner of an auctioneer’s building which burned to the ground in a massive overnight blaze has vowed his business will rise from the ashes.
Iain Smith, 54, said he was “devastated” by the fire at the Iain M Smith Auctioneers premises at Perth Airport, but is determined to carry on.
Police said they were treating the fire as suspicious and have urged anyone with information to come forward.
Firefighters raced to the scene around 12.20am yesterday to find the building well ablaze.
Crews battled for around five hours to contain the flames, supported by six fire engines and a major incident unit.
The auctioneers were preparing for a sale of antiques and collectables yesterday and it is understood many valuable items were destroyed, including a gold and sapphire ring.
Hundreds of objects were listed in the brochure for the sale, including china, paintings, clocks, toys and jewellery.
The police and fire service announced yesterday that they were mounting a joint investigation into the incident.
Mr Smith, whose family have run the business for 21 years, said he was “exhausted” after being at the scene from 12.45am yesterday.
“We’re devastated by this fire but have been heartened by the help we’ve been offered,” he said.
“The emergency services aren’t sure what caused the fire as there aren’t a lot of electrical items in the building.
“It was such a shame as we had around 1,100 lots for sale on Friday.”
He continued: “The fire was awful but we will not be stopping the business – we hope to be operational again in two to three weeks.”
Mr Smith intends to set up a temporary base beside the burnned out shell of the existing auction house.
He has also been offered temporary premises from Perthshire-based Morris Leslie at the aerodrome site.
“Everything practicable will be done to get up and running in around two to three weeks – we aren’t going anywhere,” he added.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We had six units there after getting a call about a well-developed fire at the auctioneers.
“The stop message came in at 5.45am.”
He confirmed no one had been hurt in the fire.
Firefighters returned to dampen down hot spots at the scene around 9am yesterday.
Mary Richmond, 75, who lives near the site in Spitfire Avenue, Scone, said she had seen fire engines and police vehicles outside her house but had not realised the building was in flames.
“I looked out one of my windows around midnight and saw fire engines and lots of flashing blue lights,” she explained.
“I didn’t know it was the auctioneers – that’s awful.”
Perth and Kinross Provost Dennis Melloy said he was “shocked and saddened” by the news.
He added: “It is a great relief that there has been no loss of life or serious injuries.”
The firm holds fortnightly auctions, specialising in new and modern household furniture, antique furniture, silver and costume jewellery, ceramics and pictures.
Its next sale is due to take place on March 23.
It also offers valuations and house clearances.
The fire was awful but we will not be stopping the business