Police have locked down a busy Scots bridge after an explosion at a nearby premises in the early hours of this morning.
The M90 Friarton Bridge, which crosses the River Tay to the south-east of the Fair City, has been shut off following the blast at the Shore Recycling Centre in the harbour area of Friarton Road at around 12.45am.
Cops have blocked off the scene and have set up diversions throughout the city, while locals have been advised to avoid the area. Six fire engines and other specialist appliances have been tackling the large fire for several hours.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 00.45am on Tuesday, 28 February, 2023, police were called to a report of an explosion and subsequent fire at the Shore recycling centre on Friarton Road, Perth.
"Emergency services are in attendance and the M90 is currently closed at Friarton bridge. Traffic is being diverted and road users are advised to avoid the area."
People living in the Bridge of Earn area are advised to keep their windows and doors closed due to the level of smoke as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service work to tackle the blaze.
Pictures from the scene this morning show thick plumes of smoke continuing the billow into the sky from the ground beneath the bridge. A large section of the M90 crossing is engulfed in the dark grey cloud.
Traffic Scotland tweeted: "The Friarton Bridge remains CLOSED both ways this morning due to a serious fire in the Industrial Estate below the bridge. Police are directing traffic locally through Perth and are asking drivers to avoid the area if possible."
Scottish Greens Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Mark Ruskell said: “This is a very concerning incident and my team and I are monitoring events very closely. My understanding is there has been some kind of explosion around an industrial recycling centre in the early hours, causing a significant fire and sending thick smoke high into the air.
“Because of the nature of the incident there is clearly some disruption for locals and for commuters as the Friarton Bridge - the main link towards Dundee and Edinburgh and surrounding areas for example - has been closed.
“I would ask people to exercise patience and where they can seek alternative routes to allow first responders and other agencies to go about their work. Our thanks go to the emergency services who have been working through the night to deal with this and to assess the situation moving forward."
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