The Morningside Road store had no volunteers or staff on site at the time. 

Residents have been evacuated after a charity shop in Edinburgh was left gutted as a fire ripped through it. 

Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland’s (CHSS) store on Morningside Road was reported to authorities at around 3am on Friday, January 12. 

Images show the store was left badly scorched and windows shattered. Nobody was left injured following the fire. 

Nearby properties were evacuated as a precaution as four Scottish Fire and Rescue appliances were deployed to the scene. 

The charity has said no staff or volunteers were present at the time and they looked forward to re-opening when possible. 

An investigation is now under way to determine the cause of the blaze.

A CHSS spokesperson told STV: “We were notified this morning of a fire at our retail premises in Morningside through the night. 

“Fortunately, no CHSS staff or volunteers were present at the time of the incident, and no one was harmed.  

“The Fire Brigade attended the fire in the early hours of this morning and were able to bring it under control. 

“They are currently undertaking an investigation into the incident in an attempt to understand the cause of the fire.

“As yet, we are not able to confirm when the store will be reopening, but we look forward to reopening as soon as possible and continuing to be a part of the vibrant Morningside community.”