Fire crews spent about six hours tackling a gas cylinder fire at a Caithness quarry earlier today.
The blaze at Spittal Quarry near Thurso started shortly before 9.25am. An acetylene cylinder caught fire inside a building and there was concern that a nearby oxygen cylinder might ignite.
Three fire appliances – two from Thurso and one from John O’Groats were joined by a water carrier from Inverness at about 1.45pm.
A fire service spokesman said the cylinder had cooled down enough for firefighters to isolate its valve by about 3pm.
The area was cordoned off throughout the day and firefighters used thermal imaging gear to ensure that the cylinder had no remaining hot spots before leaving at 3.30pm.
The quarry, which produces the famous Caithness flagstone, is run by A&D Sutherland.
