Firefighters tackle Perthshire cottages blaze for more than 13 hours

The Courier was at the scene as residents reported seeing "a lot of smoke and flames".

By Lucy Scarlett, Lindsey Hamilton & Andrew Robson

March 21 2025, 1:16pm

Fire fighters at the scene.. Image: Marieke McBean

Firefighters tackled a blaze at a row of cottages in Perthshire for over 13 hours.

The alarm was raised in Fortingall, near Kenmore, at 10.30am on Friday.

A total of eight fire crews were in attendance at the height of the blaze.

Crews remained at the scene overnight.

A fire service spokesperson told The Courier the blaze is thought to have started in a shed before spreading to several cottages.

A statement from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were alerted at 10.27am on Friday to reports of a dwelling fire on the main road in Fortingall, Perthshire.

At least one of the houses has suffered significant damage. Image: Marieke McBean

Firefighters at the scene. Image: Marieke McBean

Eight fire appliances were called to the blaze. Image: Marieke McBean

Crews lined up along the street. Image: Marieke McBean

A large amount of smoke coming from the fire. Image: Marieke McBean

One of the roads into the village. Image: Marieke McBean

“Operations control mobilised eight fire appliances to the scene where firefighters are working to extinguish the fire affecting multiple properties.

“There are no reports of casualties at this time.

“We received the stop message just after midnight on Saturday.”

One man who lives nearby told The Courier: “There are four cottages on fire.

“It seems to have started in the thatched roofs.

The fire can be seen from a distance. Image: Andrew Robson/DC Thomson

Smoke billowing from the cottages. Image: Marieke McBean

Police have closed the road. — Police have closed the road into Fortingall. Image: Marieke McBean

Road closure. — Smoke can be seen from the road. Image: Marieke McBean

“The fire is really ferocious and looks like it’s causing a lot of damage.

“The fire brigade is here just now – I can see at least three engines from where I am.

“There’s a lot of smoke and flames.”

Another local said the cottages “never stood a chance” as the fire took hold.

She said: “The fire took hold so quickly, the cottages never stood a chance with their thatched roofs and the wind spreading the flames so quickly.

“It’s been so dry around here too with wildfire warnings in place.

“The fire service has been here for hours trying to save what they can.

“It’s devastating what’s happened today.

“No one has been injured from what I’ve heard thankfully.”

Another resident said: “It looks devastating and our community will be rallying around to support any way that we can.”

From The Courier reporter Andrew Robson at the scene

The Courier reporter Andrew Robson, who is at the scene, said: “Police have blocked off the road into Fortingall, around half a mile east of the village, near Fortinghall School House.

“Smoke is still billowing from the centre of the village.

“From a nearby vantage point, I can see several fire engines and police cars at the scene – it’s clear this is a major blaze.

“Locals who live nearby have told of hearing sirens pass by all day, which they said was unusual given the location.

“It’s a very rural area, with hills on one side and the River Lyon on the other.”