Edinburgh resident slams 'dangerous' fires as blaze left burning at notorious spot


An Edinburgh resident says they are fed up with constant fire raising in their community which are 'putting lives at risk'.

Wishing to remain anonymous, a Granton local complained fires are continuously being lit at the former Madelvic car plant site on Waterfront Avenue.

The Waterfront Avenue area has been plagued by bonfires which have thrown up large plumes of thick smoke.

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This has made it difficult for those living nearby to leave their windows open or ‘walk their dogs safely.’

The latest video shared with Edinburgh Live was captured on Sunday September 29 at around 7.30am. It shows the aftermath of two bonfires which were extinguished by firefighters. It is currently unconfirmed if they were started deliberately.

“This has been ongoing for the last four years now, with fires almost every day,” one resident said. “Putting our lives at risk as we live right across the road from where they are being lit.

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“All it will take is one spark to land on our building. This morning we couldn’t open doors or windows or walk our dogs safely outside as the smoke was everywhere through the area and people were choking from the smoke.

“The fire brigade were called out to two huge bonfires. The fires were still burning this morning at 7am.

Fires broke out in the old Madelvic car factory site.
Fires broke out in the old Madelvic car factory site.

“The bonfires were apparently huge this morning. I have today reported the issue to Police Scotland as last week, the transponder box behind the sub station at the factory site was set alight and our power was off for 11 hours as a result.

“This situation is getting out of control. I believe local lives are being put at risk from these regular fires.

“So we need to raise awareness so something is done to prevent fire raising in the area, and stop the risk of our homes going up in flames as a result of the fires.”

Another fire broke out in the area on August 31.
Another fire broke out in the area on August 31.

Another video shared by the same resident showed thick smoke billowing into the air on August 31. They have called for action to be taken to tackle the firebugs causing chaos in the Granton area.

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A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We received a call at 7.29am of reports of a fire in the Waterfront Avenue area of the capital.

“One pump appliance was mobilised to a small fire in the open. Upon arrival a quantity of fires were found alight. They were extinguished and firefighters left the scene at 8.33am.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 8.50am on Sunday, 29 September 2024, we were made aware of a fire in the Waterfront Avenue area of Edinburgh.

“Officers attended to assist the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the fire was put out.

“Enquiries are ongoing.”