Fire crews tackle blaze at derelict centuries-old church building in Brechin as homes evacuated

Fire crews are tackling a blaze at a derelict church building in Angus as a number of homes in the area have been evacuated.

Six appliances were sent to the scene of the fire within the former Maison Dieu Church of Scotland building on Witchden Road in Brechin at 2.49pm on Wednesday.

Crews remain in attendance working to extinguish the blaze, while police have evacuated a number of nearby properties as a “precaution”.

The Maison Dieu Church of Scotland building is listed as “at risk” by the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland and dates back to the 1800s.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 2.49pm on Wednesday, March 5 to reports of a fire within a derelict building in Brechin.

“Operations Control mobilised six appliances to the town’s Witchden Road, where firefighters remain working to extinguish the fire.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were made aware of a fire at a premises on Witchden Road in Brechin around 3pm on Wednesday, March 5 2025.

“Emergency services are in attendance and the road is closed.

“A number of nearby properties have been evacuated as a precaution.”