| Two appliances were sent to the Airlie Arms Hotel, in St Malcolm’s Wynd, Kirriemuir, after reports of smoke were received at around 10.30am.
One pumping appliance from Kirrie and another from nearby Forfar station rushed to the scene, however firefighters requested the assistance of a further two appliances a short time later.
A pumping unit from Forfar and one from Alyth were dispatched, as well as additional breathing apparatus.
Later, an aerial appliance from the Macalpine Road station in Dundee, a command support unit from the city’s Kingsway East station and breathing apparatus support from Balmossie fire station in Monifieth also attended.
The outbreak was finally extinguished at around 12.30pm, however fire crew remained on-site as there were several hotspots at risk of flaring up again.
Group manager Gordon McKenzie, from the Macalpine station, praised everyone involved in the joint operation.
“The crews — including three retained crews — did a fantastic job because the fire had the potential to consume the entire building,” he said. “The building is a labyrinth and for a long time we were unable to identify where the fire started and were hampered in our efforts.
“Fortunately, although it was bad, we managed to contain it within the building and the roof has remained intact. I’m very pleased the roof is still intact because if it had caught fire it could have caused much more damage.”
He said there was extensive damage inside, but was unable to elaborate, as crews had not had an opportunity to conduct a proper survey. Roads around the hotel remain cordoned off.
In the past, the hotel has been a monastery, a brewery and a coaching inn. |
