THE Friarton Bridge has been locked down this morning as firefighters tackle a huge blaze at a Scots recycling centre.
Crews were scrambled to a building underneath the M90 on Lower Friarton Road, in Perth, in the early hours of the morning.
A large fire broke out at around 3am and giant plumes of black smoke quickly billowed into the sky.
As a result, the bridge on the busy motorway has been closed in both directions while emergency services deal with the inferno.
At the moment four fire engines and a high appliance are at the scene as crews fight to keep the blaze under control.
It is currently unknown if anyone has been injured as a result of the fire.
The cause is also currently unknown at this stage.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service issued an urgent warning to motorists and residents living nearby.
Due to large volumes of smoke we are asking people to avoid the area and close windows and doors in nearby homes
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
They warned locals in the area to keep the windows and doors to their homes shut to avoid breathing in any of the fumes that may be spreading from the blaze.
Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, the SFRS wrote: “We are in attendance at a fire within a recycling centre on Lower Friarton Road, Perth.
“Due to large volumes of smoke we are asking people to avoid the area and close windows and doors in nearby homes.
“The Friarton Bridge on the M90 is also closed. Thank you for your support.”
A spokesperson for Police Scotland Tayside said: “Emergency services are in attendance following a fire at a premises in the Friarton Road area of Perth.
“The Friarton Bridge is currently closed in both directions with traffic on the M90 being diverted through Perth city centre.
“Locals are advised to avoid the area.”
Perth and Kinross Council also took to social mediathis morning to warn locals of the fire.
The local authority posted on Facebook: “The Friarton Bridge is currently closed to traffic because of a fire in premises on Lower Friarton Road.
“Traffic will be diverted through Perth.
“Scottish Fire and Rescue is advising people living nearby to keep their windows closed due to the volume of smoke.”
Motorists have been warned to prepare for longer journey times this morning.
Huge queues of traffic on both sides of the bridge have already begun to pile up during this morning’s rush hour.
Traffic Scotland has revealed that there is currently an 8km diversion route in place for drivers.
Northbound traffic is being redirected off the M90 at junction 10 before continuing to the Broxden Roundabout.
The rest of the journey will then be diverted through Perth.
While Southbound traffic should leave the A90 at junction 11 on the M90 and then continue through the city centre to get to the Broxden Roundabout.
Posting on X, Traffic Scotland wrote: “The Friarton bridge is CLOSED in BOTH DIRECTIONS due to an ongoing police incident
“Road users are advised to use the diversion.
“Tailbacks building on both sides of the bridge, expect longer journey times”.
Commuters have also been warned that the fires have impacted the Scottish Citylink’s services.
A spokesperson said: “Please be advised that there may be delays to services coming in and out of Perth due to an ongoing police incident at Friarton Bridge.”
