11 rescued from flats after takeaway blaze
Residents of Perth flats had to be rescued from their homes after a fire in a city centre takeaway on Sunday night.
Flames were seen in the Elrasheed takeaway on Scott Street shortly after 4pm.
Emergency services rushed to the scene to tackle the blaze.
Eleven people across seven households were forced from their homes with one spending the night in temporary accommodation after “significant” damage.
Six fire appliances were on the scene to try and bring the flames under control and get the residents to safety.
The road had to be closed while firefighters battled the blaze. The response of the emergency services was praised by Perth City Centre councillor Peter Barrett.
He told the PA: “There was a substantial rapid response from the blue light emergency services.
“The council’s emergency planning and housing team have been involved in supporting that response.
“The fire damage appears to have been significant and the council has provided emergency accommodation to one household.
“No children are involved and although none of the properties belong to the council there is sufficient additional accommodation for all affected residents if required.”
The Lib Dem member added: “The housing support team will make contact with all households tomorrow morning to offer further housing support, advice and assistance.
“I have been reassured that the council will ensure all households have emergency access to food and welfare assistance if this is needed.
“At this stage it is difficult to assess the extent of the damage to properties and whether residents can return to their homes.
“Support, advice and housing options assistance will also be available should this be needed.”
Also reacting to the fire was Perthshire North MSP John Swinney, who said: “My thoughts are with all those affected by this fire, and I hope that everyone remains healthy. I am grateful for the care and skill of our emergency services, and I thank them for their quick response.”
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “Emergency services were called to the report of a fire at a take away premises on Scott Street in Perth at around 4.16pm on Sunday, 10 January, 2021.
“The fire was extinguished by the Fire and Rescue Service.
“A number of flats above the premises were evacuated as a precaution. There are no reports of any injuries.”
A spokesperson for Scottish Fire and Rescue said: “We were alerted at 4.13pm on Sunday, January 10 to reports of a fire within commercial premises on Scott Street, Perth.
“Operations control mobilised six appliances to the scene to extinguish the fire on the ground floor of the tenement building.
“A number of occupants from a flat on the first-floor were rescued by firefighters.
“Crews left the scene after ensuring the area was made safe.”