'Precarious' crane exclusion zone

The fire caused a massive structural collapse In pictures: Edinburgh fire

A 45-metre exclusion zone has been put up around a crane affected by a huge fire in a block of flats in Edinburgh at the weekend.

Specialists from German crane company Liebherr are at the site, close to Hibernian's football ground, assessing the strength of the structure.

About 50 properties close to the Albion Gardens site were evacuated following Saturday afternoon's blaze.

The five-storey block, containing 82 flats, was under construction.

Evacuated residents are only being allowed into their homes, escorted by police officers, to pick up essential belongings.

The fire, which started at 1600 BST on Saturday, proved difficult for fire crews to fight because of fears a crane on the building site would collapse.

It is unlikely that residents will be able to return to their properties until these safety issues can be resolved Mark Turley Edinburgh City Council

Tom Kane, Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "We don't as yet know the cause of the fire because there are massive piles of rubble following a number of internal collapses.

"The crane has been affected by fire. Specialists from the German company, which owns it, are assessing whether it needs to be dismantled because it is standing precariously."

Mark Turley, Edinburgh City Council's director of services for communities said: "The council is providing advice to any residents or workers affected by the fire in Albion Gardens.

"We have provided temporary accommodation to seven households and advice to other residents.

"We are continuing to work with the police and Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service and will be attending a meeting on site later today to discuss the situation."

He added that the safety of the surrounding buildings remained a concern due to the instability of the cranes and the scaffolding at the site.