St Andrews University fire: blaze involving ‘suspected hazardous materials’ breaks out in science building

Scottish Fire and Rescue Services say there are no casualties

More than 30 firefighters tackled a blaze involving “suspected hazardous materials” at the University of St Andrews.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was called to the biomedical sciences building on North Haugh Street just before 5pm on Sunday.

Eight fire engines including an aerial platform and specialist resources attended the scene.

Video footage shared on social media showed flames spreading from the third floor as firefighters pumped water on to the building.

The university described it as a “serious fire” but said there were no reports of any injuries or anyone left in the building.

“More than 30 firefighters are currently tackling a well developed fire at a St Andrews University building,” the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement.

“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted at 4.58pm to reports of a fire involving suspected hazardous materials on North Haugh Street, St Andrew’s.

“Operations Control mobilised eight fire engines including a height appliance and specialist resources.

“The building was fully evacuated and there are no casualties.”

Traffic Scotland advised motorists to avoid the area “until further notice” because of the fire, which was extinguished by around 9pm.

The four-storey building, which is shared by the university’s schools of chemisty and biology, contains laboratories conducting “medically focused research in organic and synthetic chemistry, virology and microbiology”, the university said.

Approximately 100 staff and postgraduate students work in the building.