Da Moorfield Blaze

A lovely sunny, warm morning and afternoon.  Showers started in the late afternoon, with the rain getting heavier this evening and night.

I've been working in the museum all day.  We were almost fully booked for the day, mostly tourists visiting.   Headed up north for a run after work.  I've been down to sister Laura's this evening, for a cuppa and mam was along too.  Feet up now.  Not a night for walkies. 

The alarm was raised just after midnight, when the 7 year old Moorfield Hotel caught fire.  The fire ripped through the roof, and burning almost every inch of the 3 storey building.  Emergency services worked hard all night, with 8 fire engines, and almost 50 fire fighters.  Thankfully no one was injured, with all staff and guests accounted for, nearly 70 in the building.  I did feature the hotel on the 24th of June, when it was announced the hotel was due to close, and that was meant to happen next week.  Needless to say, most folk are suspicious of this fire now.  A real shame for workers, like my best friend Robyn, who worked there.  Almost a year since there was a gas explosion next door to this hotel, and also the Fair Isle Bird Observatory last year.   There was a similar story to this in 1907, when the Clousta Hotel burned to the ground too.  Good job the wind kept that smoke away from the village, but it changed direction this evening.  I took the photo at 1640 today, almost 17 hours later, and still signs of flames, and reports of it still burning tonight.  Taken at Lingapund, Brae.  

Added a few extra photos from friends, taken through the day.