Published: Friday, 15th February, 2008 10:30
Blaze destroys popular shelter
By David Knox
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Locals survey the damage to the shelter before the fire brigade arrive.
Pic by: Nigel Brown
A POPULAR plodders shelter at Glentress has been torched during the school holidays.
The reconstructed Iron Age roundhouse at the top of Janet’s Brae was badly damaged during Tuesday’s blaze.
And police are appealing for any walking witnesses to come forward.
Sergeant Helen Birrell told the Peeblesshire News: “We are actively investigating this incident and would like to hear from anyone with information.
“The roundhouse is on a popular walking route and we hope someone who was nearby may have seen or heard something.”
The simple structure was constructed by the Forestry Commission as part of its Time Trail through the forest.
And it looks almost certain that the charred remains will need to be pulled down.
A spokesman for Forestry Commission Scotland said: “We think the fire was started between midday and one o’clock, and at this stage we don’t know the exact cause of the fire.
“We are currently assessing the damage to the roundhouse but it does appear to be badly burnt.
“We have made safe the remaining structure and are hopeful that at some point in the future we can rebuild it or something similar, with the help of other parties.”
Two local fire crews helped fight the rural fire.
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