Former Dundee care home faces demolition after blaze

A former Dundee care home severely damaged by a suspicious fire is facing demolition. Douglas House in Balunie Drive was ablaze in the early hours of Monday in circumstances that police and the fire service are investigating.
More than 30 firefighters fought for about three hours to tackle the flames. They were forced to cut through the roof of the former care home and used axes and hooks to pull down ceilings.

Police, firefighters and scenes of crime officers were carrying out investigations at the scene of the outbreak, which is thought to have been started deliberately.

Speaking to local press, Fire Scotland station manager Scott Symon said: “We got a call around 12.30am this morning (Monday) to a report of smoke in the area of the skate park.

“Crews realised it was a fire within the derelict Douglas House care home, and it was quickly discovered it was a fairly well-developed fire within one of the wings of the building.

“There was smoke coming from various parts of the building like the eaves and the roof space.”

Six appliances and 31 personnel attended, and an aerial appliance was used as a viewing platform for the firefighters.

Mr Scott said: “Our concern wasn’t for any monetary damage, but to stop the whole building becoming involved we focused our efforts on making sure it wasn’t going to break into any other areas.”

He added: “It is most likely to have been anti-social in nature with people gaining access and starting a fire. Our best guess is that it is probably deliberate.”