Fire crews rushed to an emergency incident in the centre of Edinburgh, closing off one of the capital’s busiest streets.
However the incident was eventually revealed to be a 'false alarm' caused by a smell of burning from an overheating electrical fitting.
Vehicles were diverted away from George IV Bridge in the city centre while four appliances from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service responded to a call.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing responders rapidly arrive at the scene, but noted there was no smell of smoke or sight of fire in the vicinity of the thoroughfare.
It later emerged a light fitting in a building near the French consulate had overheated, producing a burning smell and forcing those inside to evacuate.
Fire crews attended, but determined there was no risk to the public.
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Lothian Buses warned services including the numbers 23, 27, 41 and 42 were affected by the road closure.
A service alert said: "Due to a road closure buses are unable to serve The Mound and George IV Bridge and are instead diverted via George Street, Princes Street, North Bridge, South Bridge and Chambers Street southbound only until further notice."
