A 45 metre exclusion zone has been placed around a crane in danger of collapse after a fire caused major damage at a construction site in Edinburgh at the weekend.

The crane in use during the construction of the five-storey block in Albion Gardens close to Hibernian's football ground, is being assessed by specialists from German crane company Liebherr.

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Tom Kane, Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "The crane has been affected by fire. Specialists from the German company, which owns it, are assessing whether it needs to be dismantled because it is standing precariously."

Mr Kane said the cause of the fire is not known as yet because there are massive piles of rubble following a number of internal collapses.

About 50 properties close to the site were evacuated following Saturday's blaze. Evacuated residents are only now being allowed into their homes, escorted by police officers, to pick up essential belongings.

(GK/JM)