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Perth fire victims get £250,000 in council support

BBC A tenement block in Perth which has been badly damaged by fire. the roof and upper windows have collapsed and several other windows are smashed.BBC
The roof and upper floors were completely destroyed by the blaze

Perth and Kinross Council will provide £250,000 to support local residents affected by a fatal fire in Perth earlier this month.

A man died and two people - an eight-year-old girl and a 27-year-old man - were taken to hospital after a fire broke out on the corner of Scott Street and South Street in the early hours of Saturday 14 June.

Deputy council leader Eric Drysdale said that the internal stairwell of the building had been destroyed during the fire, leaving no other means of escape for residents.

He said the girl taken to hospital had been seriously injured but was now recovering.

Crews from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service worked through the night into Saturday morning to extinguish the flames.

Two firefighters, one of whom was struck by falling masonry, were given medical treatment.

The entire building will be demolished as a result of the blaze and 50 families have been affected.

There is expected to be significant disruption in the area for months.

A police officer blocking the street in Perth. He is wearing a hi-viz vest over dark clothing. In the background, there are several emergency vehicles. There are buildings on both sides of the street.
Fire crews fought the fire through the night and monitored the building the next morning

The new funds will help residents affected by rent shortfalls who may not be eligible for other support.

Council leader Grant Laing said: "It is still early days, and it is likely that there will be a call for other funding, but it is important that the council stands with our citizens and communities in their hour of need."

He acknowledged that the Scottish government had pledged its support but said that would take time.

"This motion is about getting financial support out to people and business now," he added.

Businesses impacted by the demolition of the building and road closures will be given direct financial help to support immediate costs as well as any future reopening or relocation expenses.

Last week, councillors were told that about 70 businesses had approached the local authority for help after the fire.

The money will also support the council's wider response to homelessness, traffic management and building safety.

The local authority said it may also look at how it could encourage footfall back into the area in the future.