Police probe after Dundee listed building set on fire
- Published
The fire broke out near the Overgate shopping centre
A listed building has been destroyed after a "reckless and dangerous act" of fireraising, police said.
Crews battled the blaze at the former Robertson's furniture shop in Dundee for nine hours after the alarm was raised at about 18:00 on Saturday.
Detectives confirmed the fire was being treated as wilful and officers are carrying out inquiries to identify those responsible.
Nine appliances were at the scene until around 03:00.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed there had been no reported casualties.
The building on Barrack Street dates back to the 1930s but has been empty since 2011.
Crews battled the blaze at the former Robertson's furniture shop for nine hours.
Police closed off surrounding roads and redirected traffic.
Det Sgt Stuart Martin said: "This was a reckless and dangerous act of fireraising, which has caused significant damage and disruption to the area.
"We have spoken with a number of witnesses and would appeal for anyone with information on the incident to come forward, external and assist our enquiries."
The flames could be seen from across the river in Newport-on-Tay in Fife.
Niall Campbell, who lives in Fife, said: "I am on the other side of the Tay so quite far away, but can comfortably say I have not seen a fire of its scale in all my time here."
Two appliances and specialist resources are still in attendance at the scene on Sunday.
The listed building was destroyed after the fire
Dundee East MSP Shona Robison praised the response of fire crews.
She tweeted, external: "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."
The derelict building was on the market for years following its closure.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "We were alerted at 17:57 on Saturday to reports of a building fire on Barrack Street in Dundee.
"Operations Control mobilised nine appliances and specialist resources to the scene where firefighters worked throughout the night to extinguish the fire.
"There were no reported casualties.
"Two appliances and specialist resources remain on the scene whilst crews work to make the area safe".