A massive overnight fire at the derelict Balhousie Primary School rocked the Perth community, with eyewitnesses describing the flames as a “tornado of fire and smoke.”
A teenager has been arrested following a dramatic fire that tore through the old Balhousie Primary School in Perth just after midnight on Sunday. The 18-year-old is suspected of deliberately starting the blaze that sent orange smoke spiralling into the night sky and forced nearby families to evacuate their homes.
The building, long out of use but still a familiar fixture to locals, quickly became the epicentre of chaos. Emergency services raced to the scene, trying to contain a fire that was visible from across the city.
‘It looked like the sky was on fire’
For many in Perth, it wasn’t the sound of sirens that woke them — it was the sheer brightness of the flames.
One resident who lives on Muirton Place, just opposite the school, described what she saw in raw, urgent terms. “It was like a tornado of fire and smoke. The roof was just… gone. It looked like the sky was on fire.”
Others posted videos online showing flames licking up through the building’s shell, with huge clouds of smoke pushed sideways by a gusty breeze. Some compared it to a scene from a disaster movie.
The heat could be felt from across the road. People gathered on pavements, still in their pyjamas, phones out, some filming, some just frozen in disbelief.
Firefighters battled flames into the early morning
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service didn’t waste any time. Within minutes of the first calls, six crews and two height appliances were on-site. By 1am, firefighters were locked in a long and complex battle with the blaze.
According to a spokesperson from SFRS, the goal was containment — and to protect nearby homes. Thankfully, they managed both.
No casualties were reported, but several homes in the vicinity were evacuated as a precaution. Emergency crews worked throughout the night and into Sunday morning, slowly bringing the inferno under control.
A single-sentence update from the fire service at 7am said it best:
“One appliance and two crews remain on site to dampen down hotspots.”
Teenager arrested on suspicion of wilful fire-raising
Police Scotland later confirmed that an 18-year-old man had been arrested in connection with the incident.
He was questioned and released pending further enquiries.
The fire is currently being treated as “unexplained,” a term often used in early investigations before sufficient evidence is gathered. However, the arrest strongly suggests authorities believe foul play was involved.
Senior officers were tight-lipped about further details. A spokesperson said: “Our investigation is ongoing. We’re asking anyone with information — especially anyone who was in the Muirton Place area late Saturday night — to come forward.”
Balhousie Primary: abandoned, but not forgotten
Though no longer in use, the Balhousie Primary School building holds a place in the hearts of many Perth locals.
The school closed years ago after a merger, and the building has stood largely derelict ever since. Locals say it’s been a magnet for vandals, graffiti artists, and curious teens for years.
There were growing concerns about its structural safety and the risk of fire long before this weekend’s events.
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The site has been fenced off for over two years
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Community petitions had called for its redevelopment or demolition
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Complaints about trespassers had risen in recent months
One neighbour said: “It was only a matter of time. That building was a tinderbox. We’ve been raising the alarm about it for months.”
How the night unfolded
Here’s a timeline of events based on eyewitness reports and emergency service updates:
| Time | Event Description |
|---|---|
| 12:07am | First emergency call made reporting smoke and light in school |
| 12:15am | SFRS crews arrive on scene |
| 12:25am | Blaze officially declared “well developed” |
| 1:00am | Police begin door-to-door evacuations of nearby properties |
| 2:15am | Roof collapses; full structural fire confirmed |
| 4:30am | Fire under partial control; no casualties reported |
| 7:00am | Dampening work begins; fire no longer active |
| 9:30am | Police confirm arrest of 18-year-old male |
It’s not yet clear what evidence led police to the suspect so quickly. CCTV footage from nearby houses and local tip-offs are both being looked into.
No injuries, but lasting impact
Despite no one being physically harmed, the emotional and psychological impact lingers.
Local councillor John Rebbeck called it “a deeply saddening and frustrating incident.” He added: “We’re thankful no one was hurt, but this was avoidable. The site has been an issue for years.”
Many residents are angry — not just about the fire, but about what they see as neglect. The old school, they say, was allowed to rot. Now it’s gone, and with it, a chunk of community history.
One former pupil, now in his 40s, said: “It wasn’t just bricks and mortar. That school meant something to people. Even abandoned, it was a part of our story.”
What happens next?
Police will continue their investigation, which includes forensic analysis of the scene and interviews with witnesses.
Meanwhile, Perth and Kinross Council is expected to review its handling of derelict public buildings — especially those near homes.
If charges are filed, the teen could face prosecution for wilful fire-raising, a serious offence in Scottish law that can carry a custodial sentence.
But for now, the people of Perth are left with little more than ashes and questions.
