The Caithness community will rally around, a councillor has said, after fire destroyed a family’s home.
Flames ripped through the attic of the property in Thrumster, near Wick, on Monday evening.
It was three hours before fire crews could get the blaze under control, by which time the roof of the bungalow – understood to be home to a couple – roof had collapsed.
Fortunately no-one was injured in the incident but East Caithness councillor Raymond Bremner, who lives near the property said the incident had been “devastating”.
He could only look on as flames engulfed the roof of the bungalow, despite the best efforts of firefighters, and the roof collapsed.
Mr Bremner said the community would rally together and support the couple if they required any help.
He has not yet been able to speak to the occupants, but said: “It is an absolutely awful thing to happen to anyone. I feel totally heart-sorry for the family.
“I am glad no-one was hurt, but something like this has a devastating impact on the whole community.
“Everybody in the village obviously know about it and I am sure if the couple need any help then the community will rally around to support them.
“There is a good network of people in Thrumster.”
The cause of the blaze has not yet been identified.
The alarm was raised at 7.54pm on Monday, with three fire engines sent to the scene, with the A99 at Thrumster closed for three hours while crews worked.
A local diversion was put in place via the A9 and A882 until the scene was cleared just after midnight.
Mr Bremner’s Caithness colleague Matthew Reiss, who is Highland Council’s strategic lead for police and fire, added: “I am just extremely thankful that no-one was hurt in this terrible incident.
“It is just another reminder of the fantastic work the fire and rescue service does in an emergency situation.”
