FIREFIGHTERS were on the scene of a forest fire near Sanquhar for a full 24 hours.

Crews were deployed from as far away as Kilmarnock and Dumfries to tackle the blaze which was spreading rapidly. The alarm was raised to the outbreak at Glenglass Forest, on the outskirts of Sanquhar on Monday, May 8, at 12.30pm.

Appliances from the town, Thornhill, New Cumnock, Dumfries, Kilmarnock and Abington were joined by two units from Cumnock as they battled to contain the flames.

Thick smoke could be seen from some distance away, while firefighters were mobilised from 32 miles north — Kilmarnock — and 29 miles south, Dumfries.

A spokesman for Scottish Fire and Rescue said: “At its height, eight appliances attended and firefighters used high-powered hoses and beaters to extinguish the fire.

“Crews monitored the incident before leaving the scene at 12.30pm the next day, Tuesday, May 9, after ensuring the area was made safe.”

Photographer Andrew McDowall Jnr was on the scene to capture the dramatic operation for the Chronicle.