A firefighter has been seriously injured after a wall collapsed while he was tackling a deliberate blaze in Greenock.

Fire crews were called to the blaze at a former masonic club in Inverclyde, in the early hours of Thursday.

Around 24 firefighters were involved in fighting the inferno at the former Larkfield Masonic Club in the town’s Auchmead Road at around 12.20am when an external wall collapsed and fell on him.

He was taken to Inverclyde Royal Hospital where his condition is described as serious and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said they are conducting a “detailed internal investigation”.

ADVERT

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “At 12.18am on Thursday, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to a fire at an unoccupied building on Auchmead Road, Greenock.

“The fire had broken through the roof of the property and 24 firefighters were engaged in fighting the fire.

“During this operation one of our firefighters was injured following the collapse of an external wall. He was taken to Inverclyde Royal Hospital where he remains in a serious condition.

“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is offering full support to the firefighter, his family and his colleagues at this very difficult time. We are conducting a detailed internal investigation.

ADVERT

“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is also working with Police Scotland to determine the cause of the fire which is currently being treated as suspicious.”

Last month, Inverclyde Council refused a planning application to change the use of the derelict social club to a restaurant.

The proposals, by local businessman Halminder Lalley, were rejected by the council as it judged they would have a “detrimental effect”on the local, primarily residential, area.

As part of Mr Lalley’s application, his representative stated in correspondence with the council that the Larkfield Masonic Association had “run into financial difficulties” leading to the closure of the club in 2015.

Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, said: “Our thoughts are with the firefighter, his family and colleagues at this difficult time.

“The dedication and courage of firefighters reminds us of the debt of gratitude we all owe the brave men and women who serve in our emergency services.

“They do an extremely difficult and challenging job, often putting themselves at risk to keep the people of Scotland safe from harm. They do an outstanding job and provide a great service for our communities.”

ADVERT

The Fire Brigades Union said it is “irresponsible to comment” on the matter, but it confirmed it is working with the fire service to establish the cause of the wall collapse.