Fire rips through market in second blaze within 24 hours

● Nearby buildings evacuated as walls collapse

A large blaze has ripped through an indoor market and forced the evacuation of nearby buildings, in Dundee’s second major fire in fewer than 24 hours.

Witnesses reported seeing walls collapsing and Police Scotland confirmed it was heavily damaged, while more than 60 firefighters were working to tackle the flames.

The incident at Hilltown Indoor Market is the second large-scale fire in the city in less than a day, with Braehead Academy shut after a blaze on Tuesday evening.

Dylan Drummond claimed hundreds of onlookers were at the scene.

The 48-year-old videographer and photographer from Dundee said: “On the day after a fire in one of our high schools, to see smoke on the Dundee skyline, close to the opening of the opening of the V&A museum is horrific. There’s smoke, it’s a clear sky, you can really see it from far away, the stink is horrendous.”

He added: “A building fell down, looked like the fire brigade were hosing it down.

“The flames are mental, it looks like the whole building’s on fire.”

Emergency services were called to the scene shortly before 6:15pm yesterday.

The blaze started in the roof of the building before spreading.

Nine pump appliances were in attendance, as well as a command support unit and an incident support unit.

The neighbouring Fit4less gym was evacuated, although a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) spokeswoman said there had been no reports of injuries.

Police Scotland closed surrounding roads including Thistle Street, Main Street, Dens Road and Isla Street.

A spokesman added the building had “more or less collapsed”.

It is understood the market has been out of use for some time.

Meanwhile, Dundee City Council said it is determined to minimise disruption to the education of the 570 Braeview Academy pupils but they will have to remain at home into next week.

More than 50 firefighters worked through the night to tackle the blaze, which broke out at the school at around 9:40pm on Tuesday. Fire crews had brought the blaze under control by 4am yesterday.

No-one was injured and police will now be carrying out a joint investigation with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.