Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco

A fire at the former Debenhams building on Princes Street has forced an extended closure of a key section of Edinburgh’s city centre, causing major disruption to buses and trams. Edinburgh Bus Users Group urged the council to implement temporary bus‑priority measures to avoid gridlock while structural assessments continue. Tram services between Newhaven and the city centre remain suspended, with ScotRail and Lothian Buses accepting tram tickets on affected routes. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that around 50 firefighters responded to the blaze and that a joint investigation with Police Scotland is under way, while the building’s owner emphasised safety and cooperation with authorities.