Firefighters battling blaze at McArthur's Store in Dunbar as properties evacuated

Firefighters battled a major blaze that broke out at one of the oldest surviving harbour warehouses in Scotland.

Emergency services were called to the fire at the B-listed McArthur’s Store on Victoria Street in Dunbar at around 12.58pm on Monday.

Four fire engines and specialist resources were sent to the scene of the “well-developed” blaze, and the public was urged to avoid the area.

Shore Street and Lamar Street were closed by police, but have since reopened.

Several properties were evacuated as a precaution and locals were advised to keep their windows closed.

Black smoke and flames were seen billowing out of the building.

No casualties were reported and the fire was successfully extinguished.

McArthur’s Store is owned by Dunbar Harbour Trust and is described as a rare example of an early 17th-century harbour warehouse and one of the oldest surviving in Scotland.

An archaeological investigation during recent construction works revealed rare surviving examples of ship timbers.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 12.58pm on Monday, October 27, to reports of a well-developed fire within a commercial property on Victoria Street, Dunbar.

“Operations Control mobilised four appliances and specialist resources to the area, where firefighters remain on scene.

“There are no reported casualties.”