A MAJOR fire has erupted near a Scottish football stadium leading to several road closures and property evacuations.
Firefighters were called out to tackle the blaze near Aberdeen FC's Pittodrie Stadium on Wednesday morning. Six appliances and a height vehicle have been dispatched to the scene.
Grey smoke could be seen across the Aberdeen skyline, rising up and eventually turning white.
It is understood the fire originated at a garage premises – Stag Motors – on Merkland Road East.
Police Scotland said it had closed Merkland Road East, Ardarroch Road and Pittodrie Street.
The public was also asked to avoid the area and use alternative routes.
The Aberdeen FC shop and ticket office was also temporarily closed.
A command support pump and two water carriers are also on the scene.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 8.02am on Wednesday, January 22 to reports of a building fire at Merkland Road East, Aberdeen.
“Operations Control initially mobilised two appliances to the scene and firefighters called for a further five appliances to support them.
“Firefighters remain on scene working hard to extinguish a fire affecting a car garage.
“There are no reports of any casualties.
“Police Scotland are evacuating nearby properties”.
One eyewitness told the Press and Journal: “Yes – it looks bad – you can hear shots of flammable materials sometimes.”
