The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
NEWS Portable cabin blaze kills man in Caithness
Neighbouralertedrescuecrewsafterseeingflames
A man has been killed in a mystery blaze at a portable cabin on farmland in Caithness. The man, who has not yet been identified, died after the building was engulfed in flames yesterday at Lyth, near Wick. It is understood the man had been living in the tiny building, located in the middle of a field.
An investigation is under way after a man was killed in a mystery blaze at a portable cabin on farmland in Caithness.
The man, who has not yet been identified, died after the 20ft by 10ft building was engulfed in flames yesterday morning at Lyth, near Wick.
It is understood the man had been living in the tiny building, located in the middle of a field about 300 yards from a country road.
Firefighters rushed to the scene just before 9am and made the grim discovery of the man’s body after extinguishing the flames.
One neighbour alerted the emergency services after spotting “flames and smoke billowing” from the property when she looked out her upstairs window.
“Thefatality wasconfirmed at10.40am. The cabinwas100% destroyed”
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We received the call at 8.53am reporting a structural fire to a portable cabin at Lyth.
“The fatality was confirmed at 10.40am. The cabin was 100% destroyed.”
She added that a fire investigation team would carry out inquiries into the cause of the blaze today.
A Police Scotland spokesman said a joint investigation with the SFRS would be carried out.
Caithness councillor Matthew Reiss said: “It is a very sad tragedy, especially at this time of year and thinking ahead to Christmas.
“Our thoughts and sympathies go to friends and family of the man. I believe the identity of the man is of 20ft by 10ft not yet known, unfortunate.”
Last night police officers and the SSPCA were at the scene.
Mick Patton, 64, lives on a farm nearby, and said that he believed the cabin was occupied by a man who “didn’t like company”, but did not know his name.
He said: “I used to see him years ago. He would stand at the gate and the end of the road and catch a lift into town. He used to use his bike and bring his groceries back.
“He used to wave and say hello. He was a quiet guy who didn’t bother anybody but I haven’t seen him for many years.” which is