Fire crews battle blaze at old Scots hospital as flames burst through building

Emergency crews remain at the scene of the fire this evening.

Flames were seen tearing through the roof of an old Scots hospital after a fire caught hold in the historic building. Emergency crews raced to the blaze at the former Nithbank Hospital on Bankend Street in Dumfries this evening, Wednesday, October 9.

Police and fire crews were scrambled to the scene around 4.30pm, with locals advised to avoid the area. Seven SFRS teams were tackling the blaze and expected to be there "for some time".

Images show fire crews at the scene, with flames visible in the building and smoke billowing into the skyline.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "The Scottish Fire & Rescue Service are currently dealing with a fire at the old Nithbank Hospital, Bankend Road, Dumfries.

"The Fire Service have a number of units in attendance at this time. We are asking members of the public to stay away from the area at this time."

An SFRS spokesperson said: "We were alerted at 4.26pm on Wednesday October 9 to reports of a well-developed fire within the ground floor of the former Nitsbank Hospital in Dumfries and Galloway.

"Operations control has mobilised seven appliances to the scene and firefighters are working to contain the fire within the derelict building. There are currently no reported casualties and crews will remain in attendance for some time."

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