A HUGE fire at an old furniture shop in Dundee was started deliberately, police have said.

Crews remained at the scene of the Robertson’s building fire on Barrack Street on Sunday morning after the blaze sent a large column of smoke over the city centre which could be seen from the opposite bank of the Tay.

The fire is being treated as wilful and Police Scotland have said officers are following numerous lines of enquiry to find those responsible.

Detective sergeant Stuart Martin, from Dundee CID, said: “This was a reckless and dangerous act of fireraising, which has caused significant damage and disruption to the area.

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“We have spoken with a number of witnesses and would appeal for anyone with information on the incident to come forward and assist our enquiries.”

Shona Robison, the SNP MSP for Dundee East and Social Justice Secretary, tweeted: “Such a shame to see the destruction of the once lovely Art Deco Robertson furniture store building in Dundee.

“Thoughts are with the emergency services working hard to get the blaze under control.”

Several streets in the surrounding area have been closed and are expected to stay that way for quite some time.