Firefighters are still battling a massive blaze which broke out near a caravan park in Elgin yesterday. Emergency crews rushed to West Beach Caravan Park located on West Beach on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 25.
An alarm was raised around 4.33pm after the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were alerted to grass and hedges alight in Hopeman. Six fire appliances were drafted to the scene alongside a wildfire unit and specialist resources. At its height, the fire was around 250 metres by 100 metres.
Ongoing operation to dampen hotspots
Almost 24 hours on, four fire appliances and a specialist resources unit are still at the scene today. It's believed that they are working to dampen down hotspots.
This comes after people were urged to steer clear of the area. Residents were also advised to keep windows and doors closed due to a large amount of smoke circulating nearby.
Impact on local businesses and park
No injuries have been reported thus far. The cause of the fire is not yet known.
Dramatic footage taken at the scene, and shared with the Record, shows plumes of thick, black smoke wafting from grass next to the site on the Moray Coast, while bright, angry, orange flames consume the greenery.
Worried onlookers can be seen walking near to the blaze. It is unclear whether they are visitors to the caravan park. Elsewhere, at least one blue-lit, marked police car can be seen stationed at the spot. Several campervans, motorhomes, and caravans can be seen parked up on the site.
Power cuts at nearby businesses were reported including the local Key Store which was forced to shut due to a power outage.
Recent fire warning at the park
The family-run and privately owned West Beach Caravan Park shared a "gutting" post on Facebook just 10 days ago claiming they had found evidence that someone has been trying to start a fire by the gorse.
Site workers warned that a "small fire could become a serious wildfire within seconds" due to the dry ground. As a result, they begged visitors to the park and beach not to light fires, have bonfires, or use charcoal BBQs.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "We were alerted at 4.33pm on Tuesday, 25 August, to reports of a large fire in the open in Hopeman, Elgin.
"At its height, Operations Control mobilised six fire appliances, a wildfire unit and specialist resources to the scene of the fire measuring approximately 250 metres x 100 metres.
"Four fire appliances and specialist resources remain at the scene today, Wednesday, August 26, as crews continue to dampen down hotspots."
