Edinburgh firefighters to work overnight to dampen down Hanover Street blaze

Smoke from the Hanover Street fire The fire travelled through four floors to the roof space of the building in Hanover Street

Firefighters in Edinburgh are to work through the night to dampen down a fire which broke out at the Thomas Cook building in Hanover Street.

The alarm was raised at about 15:30 and adjacent properties were evacuated. The fire service said it would continue to tackle "pockets of fire" overnight.

Diversions are in place in the area, including Princes Street and George Street. No-one has been injured.

Crews are also dealing with a blaze at M&S at McArthurGlen, Livingston.

The fire broke out at a stock room in the shopping centre shortly before 21:00.

Fire crews at the scene of the blaze Fire crews are trying to establish how and where the fire started

About 20 firefighters were at the scene and Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue said a salvage operation was under way.

At the Hanover Street incident, it is believed the fire had spread into an extension to the rear of the building and there was also damage to offices and residential properties two storeys above.

At the height of the blaze, about 60 firefighters and 11 appliances were on the scene.

A spokesman said a preliminary investigation had begun into exactly how and where the blaze had started.

"There was a lot of smoke gathered in the shop and officers entered through it but investigations are continuing to establish the starting point," he added.

The Lothian Bus services affected by the road closure on Thursday night were; 23, 27, 36, 41, 42, 45 and 67.

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