Five fire units battle Sandwick blaze

Five fire units were called out yesterday afternoon to tackle a major fire in Sandwick.

Thirty six firefighters and officers from Kirkwall, Stromness and St Margaret’s Hope fought for nine hours to bring the blaze in a barn at the farm of Vestrafiold under control.

A spokeswoman from the Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service said hundreds of round and square bales were destroyed, although no one was hurt in the fire which started around 3pm.

It is understood that local farmers also assisted at the scene.