Firefighters are still tackling a large blaze that broke out near a caravan park in Elgin yesterday, with crews remaining at the scene for a second day.
Blaze near West Beach Caravan Park
Emergency services were called to West Beach Caravan Park on West Beach on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 25. The alarm was raised at around 4.33pm after the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to grass and hedges alight in Hopeman.
Six fire appliances were sent to the scene along with a wildfire unit and specialist resources. At its height, the fire measured approximately 250 metres by 100 metres.
Crews dampen hotspots
Almost 24 hours on, four fire appliances and a specialist resources unit remain at the scene today, Wednesday, August 26. It is believed they are working to dampen down hotspots.
People were urged to stay away from the area, and residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed due to a large amount of smoke circulating nearby.
No injuries reported
No injuries have been reported so far, and the cause of the fire is not yet known. Dramatic footage shared with the Record shows plumes of thick, black smoke rising from grass next to the site on the Moray Coast, while orange flames consume the greenery.
Onlookers could be seen walking near the blaze, though it is unclear whether they were visitors to the caravan park. At least one marked police car was stationed at the spot, and several campervans, motorhomes, and caravans were parked on the site.
Power cuts and previous warnings
Power cuts were reported at nearby businesses, including the local Key Store, which was forced to close due to a power outage.
The family-run and privately owned West Beach Caravan Park shared a post on Facebook 10 days earlier saying they had found evidence that someone had 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, and asked visitors 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."
