Fire crews tackle blaze at Wester Hailes school

Firefighters spent four hours battling a blaze at a secondary school in Edinburgh.

The alarm was raised shortly after 20:00 on Friday at Wester Hailes Education Centre.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said seven appliances and 30 fire crew had been sent to the scene.

The fire is believed to have broken out in a cupboard. A local resident who was a former pupil at the school said it appeared to be badly damaged.

He told PA News: "The fire looked really severe. I got there when they were just opening the door.

"The fire has been tamed and it's under control. There's a lot of damage.

"I was devastated, and the fact that my little brother still goes to the school and the exams are just around the corner."

A spokeswoman for the fire service said seven appliances were sent to tackle the fire, which was traced to a cupboard in the school.

She said: "The building has been ventilated and is heavily smoke-damaged."

No casualties or injuries have been reported.

Wester Hailes Education Centre is the former school of Edinburgh South MP Ian Murray, who launched his campaign for the deputy leadership of the Labour Party at the school in January.

It also hosted Education Secretary John Swinney last month, as he gave a speech outlining plans for a review of the Scottish curriculum to a group of head teachers and education figures.