Lucky escape for village as forest fire takes hold

HOMES and residents of Furnace had a close shave at the weekend as a major fire raged in the hills above the village.

It is believed the fire began in the area around South Craleckan, on the slopes of Dun Leacainn which dominates the local landscape. The fire began at some point on Saturday May 6, before quickly spreading west and north through forested land towards the A83 trunk road.

Police Scotland later confirmed that a man had been charged in connection with the incident.

The emergency services were called and fire crews from Minard and Inveraray initially tackled the blaze, which worked its way quickly through a young conifer planta- tion, reaching the A83 verges in places. Firefighters from Arrochar and Lochgilphead later arrived to join the operation.

A spokesman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘At 3.02pm on Saturday May 6, reports were received of a grass fire north of Furnace near the A83.

‘A total of four crews were mobilised to the incident, which at its height had a fire front of approximately one mile.

‘Firefighters used beaters and high-powered hoses to prevent the fire from spreading.

‘There were no casualties and crews left the scene at 10.04pm after ensuring that the area was made safe.’

Speaking this week, Sergeant Iain MacNicol of Lochgilphead

police office said: ‘Enquiries into the cause have resulted in a man aged 76 being charged with allegedly burning garden waste and failing to ensure the bonfire was properly extinguished. A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.’

Furnace residents were shocked at the extent of the fire.

Mike Masters, chairman of Furnace Community Council, said: ‘I happened to be walking on the hills above Auchindrain that afternoon and was amazed at the amount of smoke and the extent of it. There appeared to be four or five individual fires, all apparently following the A83. Fortunately, we decided to return to Furnace around the other side of Dun Leacainn or we might have been cut off.’

He continued: ‘The police helicopter landed on the football field to enable an officer to alight with a screen linked to the helicopter’s cameras. They set up base in the village hall with the fire officer so that he could see the aerial view of the fire and direct operations.’

The forestry agent managing the fire-affected area, Tom McLellan, was still assessing the damage earlier this week, but confirmed the fire affected an area of 25 hectares (61 acres).

Mr Masters added: ‘Furnace folk were shocked at the extent of the fire and very relieved the wind was blowing away from the village or the consequences could have been very serious.’

The A83 was closed by police for a period on Saturday evening as the fire closed in on the trunk road and to assist with tackling the blaze.

A fire appliance returned to the scene on Sunday at 7.45am to re-inspect the area and check for hotspots.