Builder’s van destroyed by blaze

Firefighters were called to a dramatic van fire in Lerwick’s Greenfield Place shortly after 8.30am this morning.

The van, belonging to building contractor Norman Coutts, was completely destroyed in the blaze, which took hold quickly with billowing smoke being seen as far away as Gremista.

Mr Coutts had been working at a house in the road when he went back to his Ford Transit van and noticed flames coming from underneath the dashboard.

Flames billow from the van which was destroyed by the blaze. Photo: Frank Bradford
Flames billow from the van which was destroyed by the blaze. Photo: Frank Bradford

He attempted, unsuccessfully, to put out the blaze with a small extinguisher but the flames took hold, quickly engulfing the vehicle.

Two fire appliances from Lerwick attended and firefighters using breathing apparatus extinguished the blaze with two hosereel jets. Fire headquarters in Inverness said the alarm was raised at 8.53am, with many calls received from the public. The incident was over by 9.37am, with a “quantity of workmens’ tools” destroyed by the fire.

ONE COMMENT

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  • john isle

    • October 10th, 2013 22:41

    this happened to my ford transit and I am finding more and more like this ford need to be told about this fault.

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