Peeblesshire News | News | Unlucky day for firefighters

Friday, 5th December, 2008

Published: Friday, 20th April, 2007 15:38

Unlucky day for firefighters

FRIDAY the 13th lived up to its reputation as a day of mishaps as over 40 local firefighters fought two major fires within hours of each other.

Fire crews from Peebles and Biggar were called out at about lunch time last Friday after reports that controlled burning of heather had got out of control on Comb Hill, near Broughton. On arrival the firefighters found a fire that extended for over half a mile.

Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team helped transport firefighters and equipment to the fire, as it was over 3 miles from the road over rough ground.

Group Manager Jeff Douce, of Lothian and Borders Fire & Rescue Service, said: “One of the hottest days of the year so far, coupled with the very steep terrain, hampered the crews in their work.

“Seven fire engines and two support appliances attended the fire, along with a crew from the Scottish Ambulance Service. Crews were drafted in from Galashiels, Dalkeith, Liberton, Selkirk, Lanark, Biggar, Peebles and West Linton with over 44 firefighters taking part.

“The fire was slowly brought under control and eventually extinguished at about 5 pm. When the tired firefighters made their way back to their stations they were unaware that only a few hours later they would be called back into action.”

Just after 11pm, four crews from West Linton, Penicuik, and Peebles, supported by a support unit from Edinburgh, were called out to the second fire, which had broken out at Noblehall Farm near Rommano Bridge.

A large double barn was badly damaged and around 80 tonnes of hay and straw were destroyed. Fire crews fought to prevent the fire spreading to other buildings by pumping water from a nearby stream.

They remained on the scene until Saturday morning when a Fire Investigation Team began the job of finding the cause of the fire.

Mr Douce said that the cause of the second fire was still under investigation.

He also asked that landowners take extra care when carrying out controlled burning, as the ground is drier than normal for the time of year and these types of fires can quickly get out of hand.

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