Crews battling wildfire equivalent to more than five football pitches in size

Fire crews are in attendance at a 40,000 square metre wildfire in Bathgate.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said on Saturday appliances were in attendance at the 200 x 200 metre blaze in a wooded area near the town.

The service says it received the first call at 11.43am on Saturday to the fire, which is equivalent to around five-and-a-half football pitches in size.

A total of eight appliances are in attendance at the almost 10-acre blaze.

An SFRS spokesperson said: “We received the call at 11.43am.

“We currently have six appliances in attendance plus two special appliances.

“It’s a large area of trees alight, it’s 200 metres by 200 metres. Crews remain in attendance.”

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