25 February 2013 Last updated at 11:23 ET

Destroyed pub safety work starts after Paisley fire

Fire crews tackled the blaze in the early hours of Sunday morning

Power supplies are expected to be restored later to householders cut off following a fire that destroyed The George public house in Paisley.

The 47 people have been without power since Sunday evening as a result of the blaze that has left 18 people homeless.

Demolition contractors have started to make safe what remains of the pub.

Renfrewshire Council stated: "Once the structure has been brought down to a safe level, engineers from Scottish Power will move in to restore power."

Causeyside Street remains closed in both directions between Gordon Street and New Street, George Street is closed between Wardrop Street and Causeyside Street, while Johnston Street is closed because it can only be accessed by vehicles from Causeyside Street at George Street.

Residents and drivers are being urged to watch and listen to road reports for updates, and check the council's Twitter feed and Facebook page.

Nobody was injured in the fire, which started at 03:25 on Sunday.

However, six flats above the public house were also destroyed in the blaze, leaving 18 people homeless.

"All were either immediately provided with short-term accommodation by the council or made their own alternative arrangements," said the council statement.

Renfrewshire Council leader Mark Macmillan added: "Building standards employees are coordinating the demolition work needed to make the structure safe and allow Scottish Power to restore electricity to the area.

"Other employees are patrolling nearby streets, providing information to residents and an all-important safety net for those residents who were away from their flats and have come back to find that their homes' have been destroyed."