Firefighters battled a blaze at a barn in Kinross-shire that had contained bales of hay for more than four hours.
Fierce flames shot through the roof of the outbuilding at Cavelston Farm, just outside Kinross, off the B996, and destroyed at least a quarter of the roof, with nine fire units on the scene at one point.
Smoke, which was blowing north-east, could be seen by motorists driving on the M90 Perth to Inverkeithing motorway, near Milnathort.
The fire took effect at 12.50pm on Sunday and concern was initially raised for public safety due to some neighbouring properties near the farm, which is located near Loch Leven. Firefighters checked all the outbuildings on the farm in case they contained hazardous substances.
Jim and Celine Fernie, of Gairneybank, drove to the farm road after spotting the swirling smoke in the area.
“We could see the smoke from miles away and wanted to see what had caused the blaze,” Mrs Fernie said.
“It looks like bales of hay must have caused this blaze.”
Meanwhile, the daughter of the farmer who owns Cavelston Farm, who wished to remain anonymous, said her father would be “very upset” to hear of the blaze.
“My father isn’t here just now but this will upset him greatly,” she said.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said nine fire units had attended at one point during the blaze, including fire engines from Fife and two appliances from Perth.
“The fire was caused by hay bales,” she commented.
“Farm machinery was later used to remove some of the hay bales from the barn and firefighters are dampening down the barn.
“The area had been closed off for a while as there was concern there may be hazardous substances at the site, but it was established this was not the case.
“A health and safety officer also gave an assessment of the situation.”
She confirmed no one had been hurt as a result of the blaze.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Police Scotland confirmed officers had attended and it was decided not to deem it a “major incident.”
He added that it was later confirmed that there was “no wider public health risk.”
An ambulance was also in attendance at the scene.
