Shortly before 3am on Thursday 9 July 2026, a fire broke out in a historic Victorian building on Edinburgh's Princes Street, sending thick black smoke across the city's iconic skyline. Firefighters arrived within minutes, but flames had already engulfed the former Debenhams department store – a building that had survived for over a century only to be gutted by a blaze that took hours to bring under control. It is the second major fire on the same street in three years, and it raises urgent questions about how the UK protects its most treasured historic buildings from fire.
The building at 109-111 Princes Street was originally a department store, later housing a Levi's outlet, and was in the process of being converted into a luxury Zedwell hotel. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service received the alarm at 2.52am and dispatched seven fire engines and three special appliances to the scene. Crews worked through the early hours to contain the flames, and by morning were damping down hotspots. No casualties have been reported. The fire forced the closure of Princes Street, disrupted tram services – which ran only between the airport and the West End – and diverted several bus routes.
“A guide to the recent Princes Street fire and the risk to historic buildings.”
Historic buildings are especially vulnerable to fire. Their often wooden interiors, narrow staircases and outdated electrical systems can allow flames to spread quickly. The Princes Street building had already suffered a ground floor fire in April 2021, which contributed to the closure of the Debenhams store. But the most devastating recent example on the same street was the 2023 fire at the former Jenners department store, a Category A listed building, which completely destroyed the structure and tragically killed 38-year-old firefighter Barry Martin. Both buildings sit within the Edinburgh World Heritage site, a UNESCO-protected area known for its Georgian and Victorian architecture.
For UK readers, these fires highlight a recurring challenge: balancing commercial redevelopment with heritage protection. Many historic buildings in city centres lie empty for years before being converted into hotels or flats, and during that time they can become fire hazards. The Princes Street building was disused when the fire started, and its conversion plans had not yet been completed. Disruption to transport and city life also affects thousands of commuters and tourists – Princes Street is one of Edinburgh's main shopping and tourist arteries.
Q: How did the fire start? The cause is not yet known. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has not released any early findings, and an investigation will follow once the scene is safe.
Q: Has this happened before on Princes Street? Yes. In 2023, a fire destroyed the former Jenners department store, killing a firefighter. The same building that burned on 9 July 2026 had also experienced a smaller fire in 2021, which led to the closure of the Debenhams store.
Q: What will happen to the building now? It is too early to say. The building was being transformed into a luxury hotel, and the damage from the fire is extensive – witnesses described collapsed ceilings and blackened interiors. Structural assessments will determine whether it can be saved.
Fire crews remain at the scene damping down hotspots, and road closures on Princes Street are expected to stay in place for some time. Investigators from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland will work to establish the cause of the blaze. The future of the building – and of similar conversions in historic city centres across the UK – will likely depend on what that investigation reveals.