Elected Member Briefing - Fire at former Balhousie Primary School, Perth

About this Briefing Note

Report by: Charlene Guild, Strategic Lead - Projects and Programmes 

EMBN Number: 075-25 

Date: 22 June 2025 

Subject: Fire at former Balhousie Primary School, Perth 

Responsible Officer: Lisa Potter, Service Manager - Strategic Communications and Engagement 

Details

Purpose

To provide elected members with an initial overview of events related to the outbreak of a fire in the former Balhousie Primary School in the early hours of this morning (Sunday 22 June 2025). 

Briefing Information

Scottish Fire and Rescue Services were alerted to a fire in the former Balhousie Primary School at 12.09am on Sunday 22 June 2025. Six fire appliances were sent to the scene. At this time (3am) crews remain in attendance and working to extinguish the fire in the building. 

There are no reported casualties and Police Scotland have issued a public statement advising that an 18-year-old man has been arrested in connection with wilful fireraising and enquiries are ongoing. 

Impact on residents

The former Balhousie Primary School building is not adjoined to any residential properties, however, local residents in the nearby area have been asked to keep their windows and doors closed at this time. 

Dunkeld Road, Balhousie Street and Muirton Place are currently closed and a number of properties are being evacuated as a precaution by emergency services. Council officers have arranged a temporary place of safety for these displaced residents at the Royal George Hotel and taxi transport has been arranged to transfer people there. Around 30 residents are expected at present. Emergency services have advised that they anticipate residents will be able to return to their homes in a relatively short period of time. 

About the former Balhousie Primary School

As a reminder, Balhousie Primary School closed in June 2023 ahead of the opening of Riverside Primary School, and was declared surplus to requirements. Work to develop planned affordable housing at the site had not yet begun.