Residents have raised safety fears after a 3am fire was started right outside their flats

The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday in an industrial bin area behind flats in West Blackhall Street.

It was one of two fires in the area around the same time, with another lit behind the nearby shops on Kilblain Street before spreading and gutting a busy charity hub.

One resident, who asked not to be named, woke up and discovered the West Blackhall Street blaze and immediately dialled 999.

The woman, who did not want to be named, said: "Luckily enough I was awake and I noticed embers flying up at my back window from the bin area.

"It is used by residents and also by businesses including The Hole in the Wa' and Fenwick 47.

"There was a full blown fire in an industrial bin and round it also.

"I called the fire services who thankfully put it out.

"But I dread to think how this would have turned out if I hadn't called them, as there is lots of bins and rubbish and timber around.

"I am very concerned as I saw that there was also a fire in Kilblain Street just a few hours later.

"It's really concerning."

The Tele reported earlier this week how the Helping Hands premises on Kilblain Street had been devastated by the fire there.

Just like the one in West Blackhall Street, it is believed the blaze began in a bin outside the back of the premises.

It was reported at about 5am on Sunday.