Elected Member Briefing - Scott Street fire update 18 June

The purpose of this briefing is to provide an update following the 2.30pm meeting of the Incident Management Team on 18 June in relation to this weekend's Perth city centre fire. 

Briefing Information

Investigations into the cause of the fire at Scott Street are continuing and the inner cordon remains in place.

A risk assessment is being carried out before residents and businesses within the cordon are able to access their properties to collect belongings or switch off appliances. It is hoped this will be completed very soon and access granted at the end of this week or early next week. Access will then be granted under escort to ensure the safety of everyone accessing their property.

Support for residents

Housing and Social Work staff continuing to offer advice and support to affected residents.

The Salutation Hotel has stopped taking new bookings to allow it to continue providing emergency accommodation for those affected. We are extremely grateful for their continued support.

Officers are in the early stages of planning a drop-in session for affected residents next week to help answer questions they may have around a number of issues, for example insurance, demolition arrangements for 41 Scott Street, wider support available and other matters.

Public messaging is continuing to be issued asking local landlords or AirBnB owners to get in touch with the Council's Housing Team by emailing privatesectoraccess@pkc.gov.uk if they have any accommodation that is currently available to support residents who are displaced for longer. 

All displaced residents currently have accommodation until at least Monday. Housing staff are continuing to work hard to source longer term accommodation for those affected.

There has been a huge response from the public with donations of clothes, toiletries and other goods to help those who have lost their homes or been displaced by the fire.

The Salutation Hotel has kindly asked for donations to stop for the time being until Perth and Kinross Council take over co-ordination of the collection and distribution of items.

The first stage will be to transport all goods from The Salutation Hotel to Salvation Army premises on South Street where they can be sorted and matched with the requirements of those in need. After this, public appeals will be issued for tailored support and donations.

Support for businesses

Businesses within the inner cordon will remain closed. Our Economic Development Team is continuing to offer support.

This support will continue and develop throughout the duration of the closure. Any impacted businesses who have not yet been in touch, can contact businessdevelopment@pkc.gov.uk for support and advice. 

Road closures

South Street remains closed from its junction with South Methven Street to its junction with Princes Street.

Scott Street is closed from its junction with High Street to its junction with Canal Street.

High Street is closed from its junction with New Row to its junction with South Methven Street.

Pedestrian and emergency vehicular access to premises will be maintained.

The alternative route for vehicles is via:

South Methven Street - North Methven Street - Atholl Street - Charlotte Street - Tay Street - Canal Street - Princes Street
High Street - South Methven Street - York Place - Caledonian Road - Atholl Street - Charlotte Street - Tay Street - Canal Street
New Row - County Place - South Methven Street

A new 2 way system for access and deliveries to the east side of South Street is being prepared for which access will be available from the north end of Princes Street. Temporary changes to traffic management arrangements are being worked on at present to facilitate this.

A map explaining the road closures and diversions is currently being prepared to share with the public on our social media channels.

It is anticipated Tay Street will re-open to traffic on Thursday evening although part of Shore Road will remain closed.