Thick black smoke could be seen for miles as a four-storey tenement went ablaze in Edinburgh.

Firefighters were called to the scene at around 2.20pm after reports of a fire in a stairwell on Clerk Street near Edinburgh University.

Motorists have been told to expect delays as the blazed is tackled.

There are not believed to be any injuries at this time.

Members of the public have been advised to approach the area with care.

Police officers are also currently in attendance to assist with traffic management.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were alerted at 2.18pm on Friday to reports of a fire at a block of flats in Edinburgh.

"Operations control immediately mobilised four fire appliances to the four storey building at Clerk Street.

"Firefighters used powerful water jets to extinguish the fire in the stairwell.

"There are no casualties and crews remain on scene ensuring area is made safe."