Firefighters spent almost four hours tackling a large blaze in a derelict Tayside building.
Police have launched an investigation after a blaze broke out in a dilapidated structure at Strathmartine Hospital just after 8pm on Tuesday.
It took four fire and rescue appliances – two from Macalpine Road and two from the Kingsway – until 11.45pm to bring the incident under control.
The blaze is believed to have broken out in the administration building, the interiors of which are in a state of dangerous ruin.
A Tayside Police Division spokeswoman warned that people breaking into the site are putting themselves at risk of injury.
She added: “Police Scotland is appealing for information about a fire at the former Strathmartine Hospital yesterday evening.
“The fire was reported shortly before 8pm, and was extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
“Officers have already spoken to a number of witnesses and are following a line of inquiry, but would still like to speak with anyone who has relevant information that could assist our investigation.
“This is one of a number of empty and derelict buildings in Tayside, many of which are hazardous environments.
“People place themselves at risk if they enter these buildings, climb on scaffolding or on the roofs, and especially if they are reckless enough to start fires.
“They are boarded up for a reason and are potentially unsafe, may possibly contain hazardous materials such as asbestos, or be structurally unsound.”
Nine calls from concerned locals came into the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in quick succession after smoke was spotted rising from the site on Tuesday evening.
A fire and rescue spokeswoman said: “We were in attendance. The first call came in at 8.05pm. We had eight further calls.
“We had four appliances in attendance. The last appliance returned at 11.44pm.
“It was withing the derelict building. They did request more appliances at the scene.”
She said the firefighters used jets, lighting and small tools to bring the blaze under control.
Police have been contacted for comment.
Strathmartine Hospital has been repeatedly targeted by fire-raisers throughout the years.
The latest blaze comes just a week after a campaigner told The Courier security was urgently needed at the site. Fresh photos showed further degradation inside the admin building.
There are also concerns that people breaking into Strathmartine Hospital are putting themselves in serious danger.
In response for calls for upgraded safety measures at the site, a spokeswoman for site owners Heathfield Limited said the site is routinely checked for “breaches” by a security guard.
Planning permission in principle had previously been granted for 224 residential units – 26 flats and 198 new-builds – at Strathmartine Hospital in 2018.
In documents submitted to Angus Council earlier this year, Chamberlain Bell Developments proposed turning the former admin building at the site into 11 homes and converting a cottage into a dwelling.
The firm, who are the proposed developers and do not own the site, also hopes to erect 184 new-build properties and deliver 28 affordable homes at the site.
Anyone with information on Tuesday night’s blaze is being asked to call police on 101 or speak with any police officer.
Information can also be given anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 using the reference 3674 of June 2.
