Joint probe into Clousta house fire

Police and fire brigade officers will launch a joint investigation into a fire that has devastated a house in Clousta.

Fire brigade station manager Myles Murray was unable to confirm this morning if anyone was in the house which was gutted by the blaze. Two ambulances were among emergency services called to the scene but were subsequently stood down.

Fire engines from Bixter, Walls and Scalloway, crewed by 18 firemen, attended the blaze at Skeotaing near Noonsbrough.

According to Mr Murray, the fire was already “well developed with a total roof collapse” when fire fighters got to the scene. Fire men quickly established a sea water supply to douse the fire and eight sets of breathing apparatus were used when they entered the single story building.

Police and a fire support vehicle were also in attendance.

The fire was reported by a member of the public understood to have been attending to lambing sheep shortly after 4am.

Mr Murray confirmed a joint investigation will be carried out with the fire investigation team from Aberdeen and Police Scotland.