Council vehicles destroyed in blaze at depot

SEVERAL vehicles used to transport elderly and vulnerable people around Fife have been destroyed in a council depot blaze.

Fire crews were called to the scene at the council’s facility in Halbeath Industrial Estate shortly after 8.30pm on Friday.

Flames could be seen coming from the yard, where much of the local authority’s fleet used in west Fife is stored.

A driver who witnessed the blaze said: “You could clearly see what was a large fire at the site as I was approaching the A92.

“Whatever was on fire was well alight and looked pretty serious.”

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We received an alarm at 8.35pm on Friday to report of vehicles on fire at the Fife Council depot in Halbeath Industrial Estate.

“Two fire crews from Dunfermline Fire Station were dispatched and on arrival found five vehicles to be well alight.

“Crews worked to extinguish the fire which was put out at 9.18pm.”

She said firefighters left just after 10.35pm.

The vehicles destroyed include several mobility buses from the council’s fleet, mainly used to transport elderly and vulnerable people.

Commenting on the incident, Ken Gourlay, head of asset transportation and environment, assured the public that services would not be affected.

He added: “Five vehicles have been damaged following a fire at our Halbeath Depot. Obviously, an investigation into the cause is still ongoing.

“We have assessed the impact and thankfully this won’t cause any difficulties for service delivery next week.”

A spokesperson for Police Scotland added: “Police were called around 8.45pm on Friday evening to a report of a fire in Crossgates Road, Halbeath.

“A number of vehicles were damaged in the incident.

“Inquiries have been carried out and there does not appear to be any suspicious circumstances.”

MONTROSE Poppy Appeal organisers registered a record 2020 in an “amazing” show of local generosity during the pandemic.

Despite lockdown challenges volunteers were thrilled to raise £15,509 – their best year yet.

Appeal spokesman Ally Hutchison said: “With a population in Montrose of 12,100 that is an amazing achievement.”

The result has buoyed the town’s team for 2021 after it became the first in Scotland to sign up for the 2021 Poppy Pledge, marking a century since the first cloth poppies were created.