Residents evacuated as blaze tears through flat

Perth and Kinross Council to find housing for those made homeless

Residents made homeless by a blaze in Perth will be found temporary accommodation by the council.

Firefighters from across Perthshire and as far as Dundee raced to the scene on Strathtay Road yesterday.

A block of six masionette flats had to be evacuated as crews tackled an electrical fire in one of the properties.

It is thought the blaze broke out in a fuse box.

It was feared neighbours would not be able to return to their homes but the firefighters managed to contain the worst of the damage to the home where the fire started.

Last night Perth and Kinross Council said five of the six properties had been deemed habitable and it would arrange temporary accommodation for anyone who needs it.

Residents living in nearby streets reported the air was heavy with smoke yesterday.

One woman, who lived in the vacated block, said: “I think it was a fuse box or something electrical that caught fire.

“It’s quite scary.

“We’ve been told we’re not getting back in today. They’re council homes so they’ll sort something out for us.”

Public transport had to be diverted as fire engines from stations in Perth, Dunkeld and Dundee lined the main road between Garth Avenue and Fortingall Place.

Rescuers had to scramble down a grassy bank to the lower part of the street to get access to the block.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We received a call at 9.52am.

“Three appliances attended from Perth, Dunkeld and Dundee, including the high-reach appliance.

“A fuse box fire was extinguished by officers using breathing apparatus and a hose reel.

“We left at 11.36am. Nobody was injured.”

A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson said : “We were notified earlier this morning of a fire within a block on Strathtay Road, thankfully no one was hurt.

“The fire was contained to one individual property and officers attended immediately to assess the extent of damage, the repair works required and offer support to tenants.

“Locality housing officers have provided reassurance and any support required to residents in the block.

“The tenant whose property was damaged will also receive support and alternative accommodation should this be needed.”

Pictures: Steve MacDougall. Firefighters from across Perthshire and as far as Dundee raced to the scene on Strathtay Road, Perth.

Residents living in nearby streets reported the air was heavy with smoke.