Around 30 people were evacuated from their homes when a fire in an Edinburgh block of flats spread through the roof void.

The alarm was raised at approximately 6.45 am last Friday when Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service were called to a fire in one of the top floor flats at Saughton Mains Park.

More than 40 firefighters took several hours to bring the blaze under control. Crews using breathing apparatus searched 14 of the 16 properties in the block.

“When firefighters arrived the top floor flat was well alight with flames and heavy smoke visible,” said incident commander John Dickie.

“It appears that the fire spread through the roof space of the affected flat and into the adjoining [property’s] roof space. Due to the extent and intensity of the fire, continuous rotation of firefighting crews was required to ensure crews didn’t suffer from heat exhaustion and fatigue.”

There are no reports of any casualties.

At the height of the incident six fire engines, two height appliances, and a number of support units were used.