Teen arrested after fire rips through Coatbridge flats as six casualties rescued from tower block

A teenager has been arrested in connection with a fire at a top floor flat in a tower block in Coatbridge on Monday afternoon, which left six people injured.

Fourteen Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews raced to High Coats flats on Coats Street where a blaze broke out at 1.30pm on July 1.

Emergency teams worked with height vehicles to rescue casualties from the residential building. Six people were handed over to the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Their conditions are currently unknown. Police Scotland confirmed on Monday evening that a 17-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the blaze.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 1.45pm on Monday, July 1, police were made aware of a fire at a block of flats in Coats Street, Coatbridge.

“Emergency services remain in attendance and a 17-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident.

“Enquiries are ongoing.”

Shocking images show flames engulfing the top of the residential building. Thick grey smoke can be seen billowing into the air.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service added: “We were alerted at 1.29pm on Monday, 1 July to reports of a fire within a flat on the top floor of a multi-story building, Highcoats, Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire.

“Operations Control mobilised a total of 14 fire appliances, including specialist and height vehicles, to the scene and firefighters have now extinguished the flames and are working to make the area safe.

“Six casualties were rescued from the building using fire hoods and handed into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service.

“Crews will remain in attendance for some time.”

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