Former Aberdeen office building destroyed by blaze

A former office earmarked for flats has been destroyed in a blaze.

The fire broke out at the former PWC building on Albyn Place at about 9.30pm on Tuesday, with flames quickly spreading through the roof causing it to collapse.

Firefighters worked through the night to extinguish the blaze and left the scene at 7am.

But they were quickly called back to the scene after more smoke was seen coming from the building.

Fire officers, two appliances and a height vehicle returned at 8.45am where they discharged a main hose reel jet.

The road was closed between Queen’s Cross roundabout and the junction for Albyn Grove.

Passing school children and those from nearby businesses were watching on as the ladder lifted firefighters towards the roof of the demolished building.

Crews went on to dowse the smoking building with water after accessing the water pump on the opposite side of the road.

At the peak of the blaze, six pumps were at the scene and SSE were called to isolate power to the building.

At 11.30pm last night, fire crews reported the roof had collapsed.

All the windows on the previously boarded-up building are open and there remains a strong smell of smoke in the air.

Inspectors are also at the scene to review the damage.

A spokeswoman for the fire service said emergency service vehicles remained at the scene on Albyn Place, although the “stop sign” was initially sent through at 5.30am.

Fire crews are still at the scene on Albyn Place

She said: “We are still at the scene of the fire.

“Overnight six pumps were at the scene and crews called for a height appliance at 10.20pm.

“Crews used two jets, breathing apparatus and one hose reel jet.

“At 10.30pm SSE was called to isolate power in the building. A water tower was also used.

“At 11.30pm a message was received from crews to say the roof had collapsed.”

The building was unoccupied and the fire service confirmed no one was injured in the blaze.

A police spokeswoman said: “Officers are assisting with traffic management this morning. SFRS is still on the scene and Albyn Place is closed.

“Police were notified around 9.45pm yesterday.”

The road remained closed while firefighters tackled hotspots and reopened at about 11am.

All fire crews have also left the scene.

A police spokeswoman confirmed that “inquiries are ongoing” to establish the cause of the fire.