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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Nadeem Badshah and agency

Firefighters tackle blaze on Edinburgh’s Calton Hill

Four fire engines are in attendance at what the fire service described as “a large gorse fire”.
Four fire engines are in attendance at what the fire service described as “a large gorse fire”. Photograph: Jamie McCormick/PA

Firefighters are dealing with a blaze at an Edinburgh city centre landmark.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews were called to reports of a fire on Calton Hill, by the 19th century-designed Royal High School building, at 15:15 on Sunday and remain at the scene.

No injuries have been reported and the cause of the blaze has yet to be disclosed.

Four fire engines are in attendance at what the fire service described as “a large gorse fire”. Gorse is a common species of scrub which is naturally flammable.

Angus Robertson, MSP for Edinburgh Central, wrote on Twitter: “Very worrying and dramatic scenes from central Edinburgh with fire on Calton Hill by the historic Royal High School building.

“Wishing all the best to the emergency services at the scene.”

Calton Hill is home to a number of historic monuments, including the National Monument which was inspired by the Parthenon in Athens.

It was meant to commemorate Scottish servicemen who died in the Napoleonic Wars but was never finished and only has twelve columns.

The Nelson Monument and the City Observatory are also situated on the hill.

PA Media contributed to this report

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