STV NewsA family say they were trapped on a steam train in the Highlands as wildfires burned around them, with fire crews still battling blazes for a second day.
Jan Grigg and her granddaughter Yuna from Nairn took a trip on the Strathspey Railway on Saturday but were left stranded for over an hour as fires burned on the hill next to the track.
They left Aviemore in the afternoon but the carriages were halted at Boat of Garten while crews from the train’s engine room tried to put out the fires.
STV NewsSeveral fires were raging across the dry land, with staff bravely trying to put out the flames with the use of a water tank.
Jan told STV News: “We were on our way back, and the engine stopped because there was a little fire on the verge, on the embankment. It wasn’t massive, but you could see it was progressing really quickly because of the wind.
“The grass was tinder dry. The staff on the train couldn’t have been nicer. The lads from the engine room were jumping out like Ghostbusters but it was like trying to put it out with a water pistol.
“You could see the residents coming from the back gardens where it was starting to lick over into their gardens and they were in shock.
“It wasn’t just one fire, there was about three along the track. They were doing their best, like little heroes.”
All the doors and windows had to be closed on the carriage to avoid smoke inhalation, which made the inside of the carriage hot.
The crew uncoupled the train, and the engine tackled the fire with a water tank. The passengers were eventually transported back to Aviemore.
Firefighters are continuing to tackle wildfires in the area for a second day.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said it was aware of a fire in the open affecting an area of land near the village of Carrbridge after the alarm was raised at 11.22am on Saturday.
High winds were said to be pushing a large plume of smoke across nearby populated areas.
Fire crews are urging residents that if smoke is visible, they should keep their windows and doors closed.
On Sunday, police confirmed emergency services are still in attendance at the fire.
The B9007 is closed from the junction at Duthil to Ferness, and the A939 is closed at Grantown-on-Spey to Ferness and the A940 is closed at Dava.
A Police Scotland statement read: “Emergency services are in attendance. Please avoid the area, if possible.
“Nearby residents are also advised to keep windows and doors closed.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 6.22pm on Saturday, June 28, to reports of a fire in the open near Nairn, Highland.
“Operations Control mobilised six fire appliances to the area, where firefighters are currently working to extinguish the fire.
“Crews remain in attendance.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 5.50pm on Saturday, June 28, to reports of a fire in the open on the A939 near Dava, Grantown-on-Spey.
“Operations Control mobilised four fire appliances to the area, where firefighters are currently working to extinguish the fire.
“Crews remain in attendance.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 5.50pm on Saturday, June 28, to reports of a fire in the open on the B9007 road, Highland.
“Operations Control mobilised nine fire appliances to the area, where firefighters are currently working to extinguish the fire.
“Crews remain in attendance.”
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
