An investigation into a blaze that destroyed a historic hospital in Aberdeen has concluded.
More than 70 firefighters tackled the blaze at the Royal Cornhill Hospital on Guy Fawkes night, which sent plumes of smoke across the city skyline for several hours.
Due to structural damage, fire investigators could not enter the building until Thursday and confirmed last night that they had now successfully concluded their inquiries.
It is still not yet known if the fire was started deliberately, but investigators have passed their findings on to police.
A fire service spokesman said last night: “Fire investigators concluded their inquiries at the Royal Cornhill Hospital site at around 4:30pm yesterday. Their findings have now been shared with Police Scotland.”
Last night, Rosemount and Midstocket councillor Bill Cormie paid tribute to the fire service, and the way it has carried out the investigation.
“What they have done over the past couple of days has been fantastic,” he said. They have worked in partnership with the police, NHS Grampian and the local community. Whatever the outcome turns out to be, they have handled this well.
“I was there that night, and the next day, and it was frightening. It was such a massive fire and so eerie. The flames were huge, and for it to happen on Bonfire Night as well.”
The fire broke out at about 10pm, and 15 crews from Aberdeen, Peterhead, Inverurie, Kintore and Banchory worked throughout the night to extinguish the flames.
Patients and staff at the current hospital were on standby throughout the night for a possible evacuation, but firefighters were able to contain the flames.
Much of the building was left a burnt-out shell, with the roof partially collapsed.
NHS Grampian, Stewart Milne Homes and Barratt North Scotland were behind plans for a 300-home development on the site, but were rejected by officials before even being discussed by councillors amid concerns about the loss of granite in a Rosemount and Westburn conservation area.