ONE of Moray’s busiest roads was closed yesterday as firefighters battled a house blaze.
Blustery winds fanned the flames as crews fought to keep their hoses trained on the property at Mulben.
Retired council worker George Stephen was downstairs in the house he shares with his wife, Lorna, when the blaze started upstairs.
Three fire engines from Elgin, Dufftown and Fochabers arrived at the scene – the first just 15 minutes after the incident was reported. But by then, the fire had already spread from the chimney right along the length of the roof.
Mr Stephen, 67, said: “I saw a vehicle pull up on the road outside and then reverse back again. Next it went forward a bit, then reversed again before driving off.
“I thought it was strange so I went outside to investigate and saw there were pieces of slate spread all over the ground everywhere. When I turned round and looked up, I saw the flames through the top window. The pieces of slates had dropped off the roof.”
Mr Stephen and his teenage grandson looked on helplessly from the roadside as firefighters attempted to douse the flames. “It’s heartbreaking to watch,” he said.
And there were tearful scenes shortly afterwards when his wife, who had been in Keith when the fire broke out, returned home and saw the devastation.
Speaking at the scene, Elgin fire station manager Anna Rogers said: “The fire was already well alight when the fire service arrived.
“The windy conditions had fanned the flames and caused them to spread very quickly.
“Much of the roof was already badly damaged, which made it too dangerous for any crew to go inside the building.”
A water carrier from Buckie and several police cars also arrived at the scene.
Meanwhile, the A95 between Keith and Mulben was closed to traffic while firefighters continued to concentrate their hoses on the roof of the cottage, where the Stephens have lived for 30 years.
A police spokesman said: “Diversions were put in place and drivers were advised to avoid the area.”
One fire crew remained at the property until about 8pm to damp down the charred remains of the top floor of the house and check there were no remaining “hot spots”.
The Stephens said they would probably spend the night at their son’s home nearby.
Mr Stephen said: “We’ll be all right. We know a lot of people around here.”
The fire started about 3.30pm.