Six children charged after huge city blaze

FIRE: Old Robertson’s furniture store eventually had to be brought down

Six children have been charged after the blaze that destroyed the former Robertson’s furniture store in Dundee, forcing it to be demolished.

Four 13-year-old boys, a 13-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy have been arrested and charged as a result of the huge fire on Saturday November 12. The historic Art Deco building on Barrack Street, also known as Willison House, could not be saved after the fire ripped through it and bulldozers moved in to demolish what was remaining last week.

At the peak of the fire, which started around 6pm, around 50 firefighters were at the site working to extinguish the blaze.

Detective Constable David Feeney, from Dundee CID, said: “We are aware of the devastating impact this fire had on Dundee and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the public for assisting with our investigation.”

Reports will be sent to both the youth justice assessor and procurator fiscal.

The building is owned by development company Structured House Group. It said in a statement it was “deeply saddened” to see it destroyed.

A spokesman added: “Thankfully the emergency services reacted quickly and we are grateful that no one was hurt bringing the fire under control.”

Six children have been charged following the fire that destroyed the former Robertson’s furniture store in Dundee.

Four 13-year-old males, a 13-year-old female and a 12-yearold male have been arrested and charged as a result of the blaze which happened on Saturday November 12.

The Art Deco building on Barrack Street, also known as Willison House, was destroyed.

Fire chiefs said the building’s remains could collapse due to extensive damage and it was subsequently demolished.

At the peak of the fire, which started around 6pm, around 50 firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze.

Detective Constable David Feeney, from Dundee CID, said: “We are aware of the devastating impact this fire had on Dundee and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the public for assisting with our investigation.”

Reports will be sent to both the youth justice assessor and procurator fiscal.

The building had lain empty since Robertson’s furniture shop closed in 2011. It was built in the 1930s and was considered of historical importance due to its Art Deco facade.

Structured House Group, the development company which owns the building, said in a statement it was “deeply saddened” to see the building destroyed and now demolished.

The demolition.