Haymarket blaze: a sushi and ramen restaurant was damaged, buses were diverted and emergency services reported no casualties
The early evening blaze that affected a popular eatery close to Haymarket Station caused significant disruption in the local area. A sushi and ramen restaurant inside a five-storey building on Haymarket Terrace was damaged after firefighters were alerted at 4.56pm on Thursday, 9 April.
Local authorities issued clear instructions asking residents, workers and passersby to keep clear while crews tackled the incident. The location, tucked beside the transport hub, meant the fire had an immediate impact on both pedestrian and vehicle movement in the vicinity.
Officials reported that there were no casualties as teams worked on containment and safety measures. Initial dispatches to the scene included multiple appliances and specialist equipment, and subsequent updates described an expanded response as crews focused on preventing spread through the building.
Commuters were warned in real time via operator alerts and road closures remained in place until fire services confirmed the scene was safe. Witnesses and travel providers gave varying accounts of delays and diversions throughout the evening.
Incident overview and location
The fire originated at premises on Haymarket Terrace, an area adjacent to Haymarket Station, and affected the upper levels of the structure as well as the ground-floor restaurant. Scottish Fire and Rescue confirmed they received the initial call at 4.56pm on Thursday, 9 April, and described the building as a five-storey building with active firefighting operations underway. Crews focused on bringing flames under control and securing the structure while ensuring neighbouring properties were protected. Throughout the response the authority emphasised public safety and maintained a visible presence to manage the evolving situation.
Emergency response and transport disruption
Fire services dispatched a combination of appliances and specialist units; early reports mentioned four appliances and one height appliance, while later updates indicated five fire appliances and other resources were on scene. The term height appliance refers to the elevated platform used for access above street level and for tackling fires in taller buildings. Because of the proximity to the transport hub, several roads were closed and operators announced diversions to protect commuters and allow crews to work without obstruction. The swift response prevented reported injuries, but the impact on movement was considerable.
Resources deployed
Responders included multiple fire engines and a height platform to reach the upper floors, supported by additional resources for containment and safety. Scottish Fire and Rescue provided updates, advising the public to avoid the area while teams remained in attendance. The use of a height appliance and several appliances underlined both the scale of the response and the priority to tackle any fire spread in a multi-storey building. Coordination with other agencies helped manage road closures and protect nearby properties.
Bus diversions and operator alerts
Public transport was immediately affected: several bus routes, including the 12, 16 and 31, were diverted away from Haymarket Terrace. A Lothian Buses service alert explained that, due to the road closure, buses were being rerouted via Magdala Crescent, Eglington Crescent and Palmerston Place, and that Lansdowne Crescent and Grosvenor Street eastbound only until further notice. Meanwhile, Scottish Citylink warned that services arriving and departing Edinburgh would suffer delays as a result of the building fire. Travellers were advised to check live service updates before setting out.
Aftermath and local reaction
Throughout the evening, authorities maintained a clear message asking people to keep away from the cordoned area so crews could carry out their work safely. A Scottish Fire and Rescue spokesperson reiterated that there were no reported casualties, and that firefighters remained at the scene to extinguish remaining hotspots and assess damage. Local businesses and residents were affected by access restrictions, and transport operators continued to manage altered routes until the situation was resolved.
Witness observations and timeline
Observers in the area noted a heavy emergency service presence, with one witness reporting that fire crews had left the scene by around 7pm. That account sits alongside official statements detailing ongoing work; agencies often stage releases as the situation evolves, so start-to-finish timelines can vary in public reports. For anyone affected, the practical steps recommended were to follow operator alerts, heed official road-closure notices, and avoid the Haymarket Terrace area until authorities confirm normal operations can resume.
