Man admits deliberately starting farm blaze that tore through buildings occupied by a family

A man has admitted deliberately starting a fire that destroyed north-east farm buildings occupied by a family and caused more than £10,000 of damage.

Emergency crews raced to Waulkmill Farm in Rothienorman on the evening of November 26 2019 as the blaze ripped through outbuildings and hay bales – injuring cattle in the process.

Firefighters battled the flames into the night as the farmer desperately tried to evacuate his cattle.

And now Ryan Milne has admitted a charge of wilful fireraising over the dramatic incident.

Blaze tore through around 1,000 bales

The 23-year-old was not personally present when the case called against him at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, but entered a plea of guilty through solicitor Graham Morrison.

The charge states Milne wilfully set fire to farm outbuildings occupied by a named complainer and his family, with the fire taking hold and destroying outbuildings, straw bales and injuring cattle.

Sheriff Graham Buchanan deferred sentence on Milne, of Forgue, Huntly, until next month and ordered a background report to be prepared.

At the time of the incident, the Press and Journal reported around 1,000 bales had been hit by the blaze, which was thought to have caused more than £10,000 worth of damage in total.

Fire engines from Oldmeldrum, Turriff, Insch and Inverurie were sent to the scene.

Additional resources were also dispatched, including water carrier vehicles and a tall hydraulic platform from Aberdeen Central station, to take on the blaze from above.

Police launched an appeal for information in the wake of the fire, urging members of the public who witnessed “suspicious activity” to come forward.

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