9 hours ago
Teen, 18, arrested in connection with massive fire which left Scots school building destroyed
Fire crews rushed to the scene on Dunkeld Road after flames engulfed the former B-listed building
SCHOOL BLAZE Teen, 18, arrested in connection with massive fire which left Scots school building destroyed
A TEENAGER has been arrested after a massive blaze tore through a historic Scots school forcing locals to flee their homes.
Flames erupted just after midnight on Sunday at the B-listed former Balhousie School in Perth - also known as Northern District Primary School - which first opened in 1908 and closed in 2023.
Advertisement
1
Worried locals in nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution
Fire crews rushed to the scene on Dunkeld Road after the alarm was raised at 12.25am.
A massive response followed — six fire engines, two aerial appliances, and a water carrier.
With fears over deadly asbestos, worried locals in nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution and told to shut all windows and doors.
Some residents were seen wearing face masks, as smoke billowed across the city.
Advertisement
Roads including Balhousie Street, Muirton Place and the busy Dunkeld Road — a key route north out of the city — were shut down as fire crews battled the blaze well into the early hours using aerial appliances and hose jets.
Police say no one was hurt, but the building — an important slice of Perth's history — has been left gutted.
Cops have confirmed that an 18-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident, though he's since been released pending further enquiries.
The fire is still being treated as unexplained, and detectives are continuing their probe.
Advertisement
Police have urged drivers and pedestrians to avoid the area while the clean-up continues, and thanked locals for their patience.
A spokesperson from Police Scotland said: 'A number of surrounding properties were evacuated as a precaution and residents have since been allowed to return to their homes. No one was injured.
Huge blaze engulfs warehouse with smoke visible for miles as urgent warning issued to locals & firefighters battle fire
'An 18-year-old man was arrested in connection and released pending further enquiries.
'The fire is being treated as unexplained and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.
Advertisement
'Motorists and pedestrians are asked to avoid the area. We would like to thank the public for their patience.'
