Flames leap above abandoned 139-year-old convent as firefighters tackle huge blaze
This is the second time within one year that the historic landmark has been engulfed in flames.
Dumfries: Blaze engulfs historic convent at Corbelly Hill
Firefighters are tackling a huge fire at a 139-year-old convent in Scotland. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has confirmed four appliances are at the former Benedictine Convent on Corbelly Hill, Dumfries. The emergency services, which were initially alerted at 19.25, have cordoned off the area and the public is told to keep away. Residents have also been advised to close their windows because of the giant plumes of smoke coming from the blaze on Maxwell Street.
Maxwell Street, Laurielknowe, Rosemount Street, Mill Road, Church Street and Corberry Avenue have all been closed because of the fire.
The historical building, commissioned back in 1881 for the Nuns of the Perpetual Adoration and finished in 1884, is considered "at risk", according to Historic Environment Scotland.
The gothic building, now derelict, suffered severe damage following a fire in August. It lost a significant amount of its roof and afterwards had its status moved to "very poor" and "high risk".
The cause of this evening's blaze is currently unclear and SFRS has said the incident is "ongoing".
Watching convent on fire at the back of my house,second time this has happened #convent #Dumfries pic.twitter.com/eRjiFnpB8J
— Jennifer Reed (@jezzakins22) May 16, 2023
An SFRS spokesperson said: "We were alerted at 7.25pm on Tuesday, May 16 to reports of a building on fire at Maxwell Street, Dumfries.
"Operations Control mobilised six fire appliances to the area and firefighters are currently working to extinguish a fire affecting a building.
"There are no reported casualties at this time and crews are still at the scene."
Don't miss...
OAP gang supplied fake passports to 'wicked' criminals including murderers [INSIGHT]
Hunt for the phantom pothole filler [INSIGHT]
Airport terminal building 'evacuated' with crowds leaving after 'incident' [LATEST]
Emergency Services are dealing with reports of a fire at the Old Convent in Dumfries.
— Police Scotland Dumfries & Galloway (@PSOSDandG) May 16, 2023
Avoid the area and do not block roads with your vehicles in the surrounding area.
Emergency vehicles will require access to ALL surrounding streets.
Stay Away. Stay Safe. @scotfire_DG pic.twitter.com/kAgOWzTthP