New footage has revealed the aftermath of a huge fire which destroyed the abandoned Robertson’s furniture store in Dundee on Saturday night.
The video, taken on Sunday morning, shows how the listed building on Barrack Street was ravaged by the blaze.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service mobilised nine appliances to the scene shortly before 6pm on Saturday night, with surrounding roads cordoned off by police.
One appliance remained at the scene throughout Sunday and into Monday.
Roads in the area, including North Lindsay Street, South Ward Road and Bank Street, remain closed.
There have been no reported casualties.
The listed building is located just metres from the Overgate shopping centre, which has opened the former Debenhams car park for customers to use free of charge until its Bank Street car park re-opens.
Known as Willison House, the building has lain empty since Robertson’s furniture shop closed in 2011.
It was built in the 1930s and is considered of historical importance due to its art-deco façade.
Various proposals to re-purpose it have been mooted over the years, but none have been successful.
Plans to demolish the derelict building and make way for a hotel and student halls were lodged in 2017, which led to more than 700 people signed a petition calling for it to be saved.
But the developer gave assurances there would be a “substantial retention” of the iconic facade.
Smoke and fire seen ‘from all over the city’
Residents on Saturday night reported seeing the smoke and flames “from all over the city”.
One eye-witness said: “When I came out of the house and could smell smoke and realised something really major was happening.
“I was on my way to the supermarket in the car and could see smoke and flames.
“It’s a massive blaze – you can see it all over the city.
“There’s a massive emergency presence there just now. I have never seen a fire this big.
“There’s now a huge cordon around the area, I only hope and pray that no one is injured in this.”
Large plumes of smoke and flames could be seen from all around Dundee and from across the water in Newport-on-Tay.
Shona Robison, MSP for Dundee City East, reacted to the blaze on Twitter.
She 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.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “The fire is under control but crews are still on the scene for safety, and they are likely to still be there for some time.”
