An item of "Breaking News". Will appear on the Breaking News page and the front page.
A minor fire broke out in the pavement roof area of Broughton Street's Phoenix Bar early on Friday afternoon.
A small portion of the 19th-century extension was removed by the Fire Brigade to isolate the source of the problem.
Regulars – gathered impatiently on the other side of the street – speculated that decorators' use of blow torches to strip back paintwork, combined with warm and windy weather, may have caused the fire.
Spurtle has approached all candidates, asking for reactions to Friday morning's General Election result.
First past the post with a response was Labour's victorious Mark Lazarowicz.
'I'm obviously delighted at the election result,' he said. 'I was humbled at the amount of support I received from local people. I vowed at the start of the campaign that I would wage a positive campaign – I am glad I kept to that.
For capital results outwith Edinburgh North and Leith, click on the pdf below.
In Transmit – Axolotyl's new exhibition – artist Mike Inglis's screenprints examine the use of religious symbols and practices in an uncertain world.
'The influences are diverse,' writes Inglis, 'ranging from the ancient religions and icons used in voodoo ceremonies and their Roman Catholic counterparts, to contemporary graffiti icons we find in our streets.'
Transmits runs at Axolotyl, 35 Dundas Street, 10am–6pm (1–5pm on Sunday) from 7–29 May.
Pinsky – the Bellevue Road cat missing since 21 April – this morning turned up safe and sound.
He has lost a fair bit of weight and is a little grubby, but is reportedly delighted that his wanderings are over.
Pinsky's owners have no idea where he's been, but conclude that 'It must have been quite an adventure for a cat who'd never spent a full night out in his life.'
Spurtle suspects Pinsky has an aversion to election coverage on the telly, and only now considers it safe to come home.
Labour have retained the Edinburgh North and Leith constituency with an increased share of the vote but a smaller majority over their nearest rivals.
The Liberal-Democrats pushed them extremely close, recording the largest percentage surge of any party.
The Conservatives came third with a smaller share of the vote than in 2005. With an overall reduction in support compared to the last election, their vote also showed the largest percentage decrease of any party.
Independent Lothians MSP Margo Macdonald is campaigning for assisted suicide to be made legal in Scotland.
She advocates the Netherlands system, where registered doctors with a long-standing connection to a terminally ill patient can hasten that patient's painless end.
Whilst popular in principle with many ordinary people across Scotland, Macdonald's End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill is not without critics, some even among those ethicists and medical professionals one might expect to be in favour.
We all have until 12 May to comment.
Coco is a a 4-year-old Maine Coon cat who went missing from Drummond Place on 28 April 2010.
She is neutered and microchipped, and was wearing a red collar.
Please check your sheds and garages as she may have become trapped; and contact 0131 557 1704 if you have any news.
A reward will be paid for information leading to her recovery.
It's all very important, of course, but you can overdo it.
Spurtle recommends those who've voted to take a break from the election coverage and a walk in Pilrig or St Mark's Park.
A cold and protracted winter is apparently responsible for the exceptional display of ornamental cherry blossom this year. Enjoy it while it lasts!
Seventeen per cent of private accommodation in Scotland is let out, so when there's a problem the neighbours need to know whom to contact and how to proceed.
Judith Dunn of the Scottish Association of Landlords spoke to the New Town and Broughton Community Council on 3 May. The Association's sheet giving brief guidance and resources is now on our 'Extras' page (5.5.10).
These and other useful contacts are collated under 'Neighbours/Landlords/Tenants' in Spurte's online 'Directory'.