A firefighter is in a serious condition in hospital after tackling a serious blaze in Edinburgh on Monday.
Four others were admitted for treatment, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed.
Firefighters were called to the popular Jenners building in Edinburgh earlier today for a blaze that was "serious and complex."
Ross Haggart is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service's Interim Chief Officer said: "The fire at the Jenners building in Edinburgh is a very serious and complex incident.
The Scottish Ambulance Service were called to the former department store at around 11:30am this morning.
Over 20 engines were sent to tackle the blaze and black smoke was seen billowing out from the iconic building.
"Regrettably I can confirm that five of our colleagues have been taken to hospital for treatment and one remains in a critical condition," Haggart added.
"The families of all those affected have been made aware.
"We currently remain at the scene with a total of 11 appliances and other specialist resources in attendance."
After the fire broke out, Edinburgh Police asked people to "avoid the area if possible" and "follow directions regarding alternative routes."
Eyewitnesses in nearby shops were told to stay in side as the smoke was so severe it could have affected their lungs.
The Fire Brigades Union told the BBC: "We can confirm that five firefighters have been treated at the scene or at hospital, one of whom is in a serious condition."
The blaze was allocated in the Jenners building in the heart of the Scottish capital. It is only a short walk from landmarks like Edinburgh Castle, the Scottish National Gallery and the National Monument of Scotland.
Designed by architect William Hamilton Beattie, the current building opened in 1895 is over the road from Edinburgh Waverley train station.
It was undergoing restoration works until today's fire and was originally built when the first Jenner building was destroyed by fire in 1892.
House of Fraser bought the Jenners brand in 2005 and the building was then sold to private investors.
Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen nought the culturally significant building, erected in a Victorian renaissance revival style, for £53million in 2017.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said earlier: "We were alerted at 11.29am on Monday, January 23 to reports of a building fire at Rose Street, Edinburgh.
“Operations Control immediately mobilised two appliances to the scene and on arrival firefighters found a building well alight.
“A further eight appliances, including a high reach, were mobilised and crews remain on scene as they work to extinguish the fire."
The spokesperson recorded no casualties at the time
