Residents of the Bonnington Bond apartment complex in Edinburgh have been urged to leave their homes immediately due to a high fire risk. Several residents have already vacated the building, with others considering their options.
The complex, which comprises over 100 flats, was constructed on the site of a former whisky bond. A fire in March 2024 significantly impacted the building, rendering some flats uninhabitable and damaging others with smoke. Two firefighters were injured during that incident.
Subsequent investigations and a City of Edinburgh Council report identified critical safety deficiencies. A building survey conducted in May 2022 revealed issues including combustible cladding and insulation, along with combustible decking and internal fire-stopping problems. Additionally, seven internal lifts were found to be non-compliant with safety standards.
In response to the March fire, the developer, Persimmon, implemented temporary safety measures such as "waking watches" and fire supervisors. However, the full scope of necessary remediation works has not yet been finalized, and there is currently no set timeline for their completion.