Latest images and progress following the Princes Street fire

Following the fire at the former Debenhams building on Princes Street, essential safety and recovery work was carried out to secure and preserve the historic structure.

Aerial view of the bridge's half-completed north span, with cranes lifting a steel girder into place
On 9 July 2026 a catastrophic fire destroyed much of the former Debenhams building on Princes Street.
Fire damaged building showing exposed steel beams and collapsed roof
The focus has been on making the building safe, allowing Princes Street to reopen, while aiming to retain as many of its historic features as possible.
A worker in hi vis jacket in a red crane performing restoration work.
Engineers carried out complex and challenging work to install steel beams and remove bricks and unsafe stonework from the upper levels of the building.
Steel beams being installed inside a fire damaged building bracing the interior brick walls
The front facade of the building was stabilised with steel beams internally and externally to support the western end of the Princes Street facade - with work ongoing on the remainder of the upper floors.
Exterior view of fire damaged building with scaffolding and a yellow crane alongside.
The eastern gable of the building has been secured and made safe. This involved reducing it in height by approximately 2 metres and supporting it with a structural scaffolding. .