Livestock killed in fire at Strathmartine farm

Several sheep and horses were among the casualties of a major fire that tore through a farmhouse and stables near Dundee.

The blaze broke out shortly before 8pm on Monday in the grounds of Balmydown Farm, close to Strathmartine, to the north of the city.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service sent six engines to the scene.

Firefighters used three hose reel jets, breathing apparatus and ground heat monitors as they battled to bring the blaze under control.

Flames brought down the structure’s roof, trapping the sheep and horses inside.

No people were injured in the blaze and the occupants of the farm managed to escape to a safe distance.

The farm’s owners declined to comment when approached, saying ongoing discussions with insurers prevented them from doing so.

The fire was close to the former Strathmartine Hospital, which has already been a target for fireraisers and vandals. However, it was not connected to the derelict hospital and police confirmed the fire was not being treated as deliberate.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We received a call shortly before 8pm to attend at a fire in a farmhouse outbuilding at Balmydown Farm.

“We dispatched six appliances to the scene and we still had an appliance there this morning to monitor for hot spots.

A police spokesman said: “We attended at a rural location at Balmydown Farm alongside the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service at 7.55pm last night.

“There were some issues with some animals in the outbuildings and stables which could not be retrieved.

“There appear to be no suspicious circumstances.”

Firefighters at the scene.