Residents remain displaced nearly a year after a fire on Breadalbane Street forced evacuations and caused extensive damage.
Firefighters told them to leave, and most residents stood outside in pajamas, watching the damage. Remarkably, nobody died in the fire, though two firefighters were treated at the scene. Firefighters used lots of water to put out the flames.
Lawrence Mearns and his wife Anna lived there. Their lives changed significantly after the fire. They stayed in hotels initially and now rent a place in the city.
They could only visit their flat briefly to retrieve essentials, like Anna’s insulin and their passports, as they planned to marry in Greece. Some residents joined a group online, but updates have been scarce and unhelpful.
The couple must soon pay council tax again, as their year’s exemption has ended. Lawrence said the fire risked a big disaster. Surveys are being carried out to check the building’s safety, which is taking a long time.
Fifty residents are still waiting. Their flat wasn’t burned, but water damaged it. Mould grew because the building was empty.
Scaffolding went up, and debris got removed, yet insurers may not have started work yet. Lawrence grabbed his phones and keys when he fled, as Anna was away for work. Hotels provided them with a small daily food allowance.
Anna needs her medicine kept cold, which wasn’t always possible in the hotels. Residents now live with family or rent places, and they expected work would have started by now.
Persimmon, the developer, has assisted the insurance company with a plan for building repairs. Edinburgh Council has no further role now, with the insurer and factor handling building work.
Ageas, the insurer, said the building became safe this January, and access was allowed last September. Thirty-four flats remain unfit to live in. Repairs may take two years from when access started, and Lawrence mentioned their lack of information and slow updates.
Luckily, they got their documents and passports, allowing them to get married as planned. The fire greatly affected Anna and Lawrence. They felt abandoned; the lack of action made them feel forgotten.
They stayed in different hotels at first, and had little money for food. Anna’s diabetes got worse from the stress. Persimmon claims they helped the insurance company and have a repair plan ready, which the residents’ committee must approve.
Ageas stated they insured the building, while other insurers cover contents. The fire heavily damaged two blocks. They provided support and housing quickly, aided residents with costs covered by policies, and understood their needs. The worst-hit got long-term housing.
The delay in accessing caused issues. Factors allowed access to clear debris in September, and engineers began assessing the structure in November. Ageas communicates with the Residents’ Association and expects rebuilding may take two years.