Huge flat fire set deliberately in Edinburgh
A huge blaze that gutted a flat in Edinburgh was set deliberately, fire officials have confirmed.
About 24 firefighters tackled the first floor flat fire after being called at about 09:30 to 3 McDowell Road.
Neighbours said the woman living in the flat said the night before she was going to set her property alight.
A Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said although a fire investigation was ongoing she confirmed it had been set deliberately.
She said: "It was a very severe fire, which gutted the living room and badly damaged the bathroom. It was heavily smoke logged and the fire had started to spread to the flat above.
"Firefighters had to force entry to other properties in the stairwell to make sure nobody was trapped."
The woman was treated for smoke inhalation and nobody else was hurt.
The woman has been taken to the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.