Huge blaze which tore through East Kilbride restaurant 'not suspicious'

Police have confirmed a fire at a Scots restaurant last night was "not suspicious".

Redcliffe Drive in East Kilbride was shut down after the Orient at Westwood Square went up in flames.

Emergency crews raced to the scene where huge flames and thick black smoke engulfed the roof of the Middle Eastern eatery.

Gathering crowds looked on in horror as the fire raged dangerously close to neighbouring shops and flats above the square.

Emergency services are now on the scene at Westwood Square in East Kilbride -Credit:East Kilbride News
Emergency services are now on the scene at Westwood Square in East Kilbride -Credit:East Kilbride News

Residents along with staff and customers from the nearby Tesco Metro were evacuated as the fire rapidly developed.

Firefighters took around two hours to get the blaze under control.

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Police have now confirmed no one was injured and the fire was not started deliberately.

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Multiple fire crews raced to the scene as the blaze quickly spread -Credit:Chris Ladds
Multiple fire crews raced to the scene as the blaze quickly spread -Credit:Chris Ladds

A police spokesperson said: "Around 5.30pm on Wednesday, January 15 we were made aware of a fire at a business premises in Westwood Square, East Kilbride.

"Emergency services attended and the fire was extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

"There were no reported injuries and the fire is not suspicious."

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "We were alerted at 1.44pm on Wednesday, January 15 to reports of a fire at a restaurant on Westwood Square in East Kilbride.

"Operations Control mobilised four fire appliances to the scene, and firefighters extinguished the fire.

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"There were no casualties and crews left the scene after ensuring the area was safe."

Sharon Egan, Head of Housing Services at South Lanarkshire Council, said: “The local housing team understands that, following a short evacuation, the Scottish Fire and Rescue deemed that it was safe to return to the properties near the restaurant.

"The local housing team are reaching out to tenants whose properties are affected to provide any necessary support required.”

The restaurant indicated online that electrics had caught fire and said: “We are looking forward to open again soon and welcoming you at Orient Restaurant EK."

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