Firefighters battle major blaze through night near Moray coast

Firefighters have been tackling a major blaze through the night in a coastal village in Moray.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service sent six appliances to the scene of the large blaze in the village of Hopeman after it broke out around 4.33pm on Tuesday.

A wildfire unit and specialist resources were also sent to the scene of the fire, which stretched approximately 250 metres by 100 metres.

People are being asked to avoid the area as crews worked to extinguish the fire.

Four fire appliances and specialist resources remain at the scene to dampen down hotspots, crews said.

Due to heavy smoke in the area, nearby residents are asked to keep their windows and doors closed as a precaution.

Locals reported that more than 1,000 homes were without power in the area, with the West Beach Caravan Park saying on social media that power lines running through the area were switched off.

It was reported that power was restored in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 4.33pm on Tuesday, August 25, to reports of a large fire in the open in Hopeman, Elgin.

“At its height, Operations Control mobilised six fire appliances, a wildfire unit and specialist resources to the scene of the fire, measuring approximately 250 metres x 100 metres.

“Four fire appliances and specialist resources remain at the scene today, Wednesday, August 26, as crews continue to dampen down hotspots.”