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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Katie Williams

Edinburgh firefighter remains in critical condition in hospital after Jenners fire

An Edinburgh firefighter who helped tackle the blaze in the old Jenners building remains in critical condition in hospital.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said Barry Martin, 38, sustained serious injuries and remains in a critical condition at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

He was one of five firefighters taken to hospital following the fire at the former department store on Monday morning.

READ NEXT - Haunting Edinburgh images give first glimpse inside old Jenners following fire

Two were treated for burns and two for smoke inhalation and have since been discharged.

A police officer was taken to the same hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation and later released.

Emergency services rushed to the city of centre of Edinburgh on Monday, January 23, as a fire scorched the building and smoke billowed out onto St David Street.

Four out of the five fighters that were taken to hospital have been discharged, however one still remains in critical condition.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service interim chief officer, Ross Haggart, said: "The fire at the Jenners building is a very serious and complex incident and regrettably I can confirm that five of our colleagues were taken to hospital for treatment.

"Four have now been discharged however one remains in a critical condition. The families of all those affected have been made aware.

"We currently remain at the scene with one appliance to monitor the building for any remaining hotspots."

He later added: “This was undoubtedly a serious and complex fire.

“Our thoughts are very much with Barry and his family and, indeed, with all of our colleagues who were injured in responding to this incident.

“Barry is a firefighter based in Edinburgh and we ask that everyone please respect his family’s privacy at this time.

“We continue to provide all possible support to our colleagues and their families, as well as all staff involved.

“We are liaising with appropriate partners to ensure a full and thorough investigation is undertaken into this incident.”

The cause of the fire is still unknown but new images released show the stark aftermath as debris can be seen covering the floor while the furniture that is still standing is pitch black from the flames

Mr Day added: "I sure I say this on behalf of the whole city, that our thoughts are with the firefighters who risked their lives to save the building and save the people around the city as well, so our thoughts are with their families today."

The council will assess the building's structural integrity, Mr Day said, adding: "That is a question we don't have the answer to yet." Asked if the building, which has stood in Princes Street since the 1800s, will survive, Mr Day was unable to be definitive.

"That will be subject to these surveys; I'm hopeful that where we saw the fire yesterday was to the rear of the building and I hope that can be salvaged," he said.

Scotland's community safety minister Elena Whitham paid tribute to the firefighters who tackled the blaze, saying: "Their sheer bravery and professionalism must be commended.

"Scotland's communities are lucky to have our valued firefighters, who stand ready to put their personal safety at risk in order to save others. We will continue to monitor the situation closely."

In a statement released in the hours after the blaze, the fire service's interim chief officer Ross Haggart said: "The fire at the Jenners building in Edinburgh is a very serious and complex incident and regrettably I can confirm that five of our colleagues have been taken to hospital for treatment and one remains in a critical condition."

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