Firefighters travel by ferry and lifeboat to reach blaze on island

Fire: Crews had to travel by ferry to reach the blaze.

Firefighters had to travel by ferry and lifeboat to reach a large wildfire blazing on a remote island.

The blaze, which was burning through heather and scrub, broke out on Tanera Mor on the Summer Isles, off the west coast of Scotland, at about 6.30pm.

As the island is so isolated, crews from Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service (HIFRS) accessed it by local ferry and a lifeboat organised by Stornoway Coastguard.

The operation involved about 20 firefighters.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Stewart Edgar said: "The uniqueness of this incident goes without saying.

"Our control staff put well-rehearsed emergency procedures in place and our firefighters did an excellent job of bringing the fire under control quickly.

"I am very impressed by our response tonight and I would like to thank all HIFRS staff who were involved."

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