Wildfire near homes amid 'extreme' risk

A LARGE blaze broke out near a Scottish housing estate as an “extreme” warning for risk of wildfires was issued.

- By Ben Borland

The gorse fire close to homes in Newtonhill, Aberdeenshire, erupted on Wednesday evening, with photos showing towering flames and billowing smoke.

Five fire appliances raced to the scene at about 8.30pm and it was extinguished shortly before midnight.

A further blaze broke out yesterday in Cumnock, East Ayrshire, with six fire engines sent to tackle it.

It burned up 800 square metres of countryside and was put out with no reported casualties.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said the “extreme” warning is in place across the entire country until Monday.

Barbecues