Emergency services battle huge fire in Dundee city centre

Emergency services are battling a huge fire that broke out in Dundee city centre on Saturday evening.

Scottish Fire and Rescue said there are six crews on the scene after the blaze broke out shortly after 6pm.

The fire is understood to be in the old Robertson’s furniture store on Barrack Street.

Pictures and video footage shared by residents showed huge flames which could be seen from Fife on the approach to Dundee.

Niall Campbell, who lives in Fife, said he saw the fire from across the River Tay.

He shared an image with the PA news agency and said: “I am on the other side of the Tay so quite far away, but can comfortably say: I have not seen a fire of its scale in all my time here.”

A cordon has been put in place following the incident, with police redirecting traffic as neighbouring streets are closed.

Some crowds were seen gathering in the street as the fire raged on throughout Saturday evening.

Shona Robison, MSP for Dundee East and social justice secretary said: “Such a shame to see the destruction of the once lovely Art Deco Robertson furniture store building in Dundee. Thoughts are with the emergency services working hard to get the blaze under control.”

North East MSP Maurice Golden said he hoped the fire was under control and that “everyone is safe”.

According to The Courier newspaper, the furniture shop closed in 2011 and has been empty for the last 11 years.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 6pm on Saturday police were called to assist Scottish Fire and Rescue Service at the scene of a fire on Barrack Street.

“Emergency services remain at the scene and the neighbouring streets are currently closed.”