Barry Martin was named by police today (Picture: Police Scotland)
A firefighter has died following a huge blaze at the former Jenners building in Edinburgh.
Police and fire crews rushed to the scene on January 23 following reports of a fire at the historic Rose Street premises.
One firefighter was taken to the Royal Infirmary hospital by ambulance, where he died on January 27.
He has now been named as 38-year-old Barry Martin.
Interim Chief Officer Ross Haggart, of Scotland’s Fire and Rescue Service, said: ‘It is with profound sadness that I confirm, on behalf of his family, that Barry Martin has passed away this afternoon following the serious injuries he sustained during a large-scale fire at the former Jenners building in Edinburgh.
‘Barry, who was being treated at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, had been in a critical condition since Monday’s fire.
‘I speak for the entire Service when I say that we are all devastated by the loss of Barry and our thoughts remain with his family, friends and colleagues at this deeply distressing time.
‘Both Barry’s family and the Service have been overwhelmed with the messages of support we have received and we thank everyone for the time they have taken to share these.
A huge blaze broke out at the former Jenners store on January 23 (Picture: Katielee Arrowsmith/SWNS)
‘Barry’s family would also like to thank all the medical staff who have cared for him.
‘I would now ask that we all allow Barry’s family, friends and colleagues to grieve in private.’
Four other firefighters who were also taken to hospital for treatment and were subsequently released.
A police officer was also treated for smoke inhalation following the incident.
Superintendent David Robertson, of Police Scotland’s Edinburgh Division, said: ‘Our thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of Barry at this very difficult time.
‘Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.’
Thick smoke had spread across the city to St Andrew’s Square (Picture: Twitter/Gillian Webster)
Eleven fire engines had been deployed to the former Jenners store after reports of a fire were raised on January 23.
Crews arrived to find the former store, hailed as an ‘icon’ of the city, ‘well alight’ with eyewitnesses describing how smoke was billowing out of the basement.
Interim chief officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Ross Haggart, described the incident as ‘very serious and complex’ in an update.
Founded in 1838, Jenners was one of the oldest department stores in the world until its closure after 183 years in 2021.
Fire crews ad rushed to the scene on January 23 (Picture: Katielee Arrowsmith SWNS)
Plans were approved in June last year to transform the landmark site, in the capital’s famous Princes Street, into a luxury hotel, according to Edinburgh Live.
Key aspects of the building, including the central atrium and outside signage, were expected to stay during significant works to turn the upper floors into a boutique 96-bedroom hotel.
The current building was designed by architect William Hamilton Beattie and opened in 1895, three years after the original structure was destroyed by a fire in 1892.
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Barry Martin, 38, had been rushed to hospital on January 23.
