Fire crews battle blaze at combined heat and power plant overnight
Firefighters are continuing to battle a blaze at a combined heat and power plant in the Highlands.
Emergency services were called to the incident at the Balcas Energy-run site in Invergordon around 2.58pm.
Nine fire engines and two specialist units have been sent to the industrial park. George Finlayson Nine fire engines and two specialist units have been sent to the industrial park. George Finlayson
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that three appliances remained at the scene on Thursday morning.
Drone images of the area shows flames bursting from the bottom of one of the silos and smoke billowing into the air.
Police Scotland and Balcas Energy have been contacted for comment.
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
13 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Hundreds gather at Cosmeston lake to protest Aqua Park
At the heart of the protest was 22-year-old Ciara Hay, who spoke through tears about how much the lake has meant to her since childhood. 'They say they are doing this for young people, but no one I know my age wants this' 'I remember seeing all this wildlife as a kid, and the passion that I have for nature and bird life is so deep in my spirit, and I've seen the decline of the birds throughout my whole life now, and especially five years ago with the bird flu that happened here, so many swans have moved on, so many birds have died, and It's just started recovering. 'There's one family of moorhens that have chicks on that side of the lake, one, and there used to be so many, and it's so sad to see in my lifetime the decline of wildlife here, and I'm thinking, it's already a very delicate ecosystem as is, and just doing this is going to scare off so many animals, and it's going to frighten them, and it's going to be loud and noisy.' Ciara Hay protesting at Cosmeston lake (Image: Nikita Singh) Ciara fears younger generations won't experience the beauty and stillness she grew up with. She also shared a traumatic memory from her teens. She added: 'There's a sign right there saying do not swim in the water, this has never been a safe place to swim, there is jagged metal in this water, and you can't see it. When I was about 15, I went swimming over there and I got a massive cut in my leg just from swimming, and there being a jagged piece of metal in the water, it's not safe. And there's so much virus and bird poo in the water, I don't know how they have justified that after years, literally decades of them saying it's not safe to swim, it's ridiculous'. One of the organisers, Sar Williams, urged people to focus their anger. 'As much as we are all angry, we have to redirect our anger to very specific areas and very specific people. This is going to create enough of a whirl to actually stop this aqua park. We need people, we need to hear what you feel.' 'I've even heard there was a zipline planned for the park once. It was passed but then taken back because of strong opposition. We will do the same again'. Protesters say they are not against the idea of an Aqua Park, but strongly oppose its location on Cosmeston Country Park's eastern lake. Concerns have been raised about the environmental impact, including the release of microplastics into the water from the inflatable structures, which could harm the already fragile ecosystem. Aqua park development at Cosmeston lake (Image: Nikita Singh) South Wales Central MS Andrew RT Davies criticised the plans, calling them 'an out of touch proposal from an out of touch council.' He said the Labour-run Vale of Glamorgan Council is pushing the project despite strong local opposition and insufficient consultation. The Vale of Glamorgan Council stated that water safety testing has been carried out, and that the Aqua Park will be staffed with lifeguards and security to ensure visitor safety. They highlighted that the Aqua Park will offer new leisure activities for local residents and support conservation efforts within the park. Work on the Aqua Park began today, despite ongoing protests. The next demonstration is planned for Saturday, June 14.
The Courier
17 hours ago
- The Courier
Pitlochry couple whose dog died after ‘bully' attack open hearts and home to senior pair
A Pitlochry couple who lost their pet dog following a tragic attack on their own doorstep have made sure some good comes from their heartache. Norman and Cathy Hawkes' 12-year-old Jack Russell terrier Misty was savaged by two bully-type dogs last month. She died from her injuries three days later. The pensioners were lost without their little sidekick. And so they have offered up their sofa to two elderly dogs from Perthshire rehoming charity PADS. The pair found themselves looking for new digs after their last owner was no longer able to care for them. Rosie is 10 and a Jack Russell, with a lot of similarities to Misty. Chichi is 11 and half-Chihuahua – so a lot of dog in a small package. Bonded pairs are hard to rehome, even more so when they're senior dogs. But Norman, 79, says the newcomers deserve a second chance. And their arrival has been a godsend for him and Cathy too. 'I think Misty would approve,' he told The Courier. Misty battled bravely to stay alive after she was mauled in her own garden on Sunday May 18. But her injuries were too much for her, and she died on the Wednesday. The two dogs involved in the attack in Pitlochry's Kennedy Place were destroyed. Norman, who was hurt himself and saw it all happen, says he and Cathy still desperately miss Misty and her funny little ways. But when they saw PADS appealing for people to rehome some of the dogs in its care, including a Jack Russell, they decided to open up their hearts again. 'The two of them have always been together, so we couldn't break them up,' he said. 'They've settled right in.' 'Rosie is a Jack Russell and some of the things she does really remind us of Misty,' he added. 'Chichi is a wee fatty, but we'll soon sort him out.' Norman says the couple are grateful to PADS for matching them up. And he urged anyone who's thinking about getting a dog to consider rehoming – and particularly an older dog. 'PADS does great work, so I'm glad we could help them,' he added. 'But it's good for us too. It's nice to have a dog around again. 'We'll never replace Misty, but it's helping.' Police Scotland say a 31-year-old man has been charged in connection with the Dangerous Dogs Act and a report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Glasgow Times
Coleen Rooney says Unicef support for Ukrainian families is a ‘lifeline'
The media personality recently travelled to Poland with Unicef to see how Soccer Aid donations have directly supported Ukrainian families who were forced to flee their homes. The 39-year-old said she could not 'imagine' what Ukrainian refugee families must be going through, emphasising how important it is to stand with them. She said: 'I can relate to being a mum and the first thing (you would do) in that situation is to get out of danger, to make sure that the kids are OK and we can find somewhere. 'I couldn't imagine what was going through their heads… the emotions.' While in Krakow she visited the Spilno Hub, which helps families find accommodation and offers access to a range of services such as psychosocial support and legal assistance. The Unicef-run centre has helped people such as Yuliia Karpenko, her sister Olisia and Yuliia's four-year-old daughter Anastasiia 'Nastia' who were forced to flee Ukraine with just one bag on an evacuation train. She said: 'Hearing about the lasting effect the war in Ukraine has had on Yuliia and her family will stay with me for a long time. 'Her determination to create a safe and supportive community for her family in Poland really shone through. 'Thanks to Unicef, she's been able to meet other mums, learn Polish and find work in a kitchen. 'And her daughter, Nastia, has been able to make friends with other children and spend time playing, just as any four-year-old should. Coleen Rooney with children and workers of the Sun Centre during classes (Unicef/Brykczynski/PA) 'It was a privilege meeting Yuliia and her family and to see how money raised by Soccer Aid for Unicef really is changing lives. 'Leaving their home and not knowing when they'll be able to return was so hard for them. 'But spending time at the Spilno Hub has helped them to feel safe. 'It supports families who've fled the war in Ukraine in so many ways. 'It's a very special place.' During the trip, Rooney visited the Education Rehabilitation Centre, a specialist school funded by the children's organisation which supports young people with disabilities. There she met a young autistic boy, Murat, who could not talk when they first left Ukraine and has since been able to say a few words. She said: 'It's such a calming place and the teachers there are so supportive and caring. Coleen Rooney (right) with Murat during a sensory therapy class (Unicef/Brykczynski/PA) 'Kateryna (Murat's mother) told me that the changes she's seen in Murat have been incredible. 'When they left Ukraine he wasn't able to talk but he's now started to say some words and can communicate with other children too. 'She said that when they arrived in Poland she felt hopeless but, thanks to Unicef, she can now see a future there for them.' Donations made to Soccer Aid for Unicef will be doubled this year up to £5 million thanks to the Children's Investment Fund Foundation. Rooney said: 'As a mum myself, I couldn't help but think of my own boys when I met children like Nastia and Murat. 'Seeing them smile and play despite everything they've been through was incredibly moving. 'Hearing their stories really reminded me how important it is that we stand with families who've been through so much, every child deserves a safe space to play – as a parent this is all you want for your child.' To donate to Soccer Aid for Unicef and support children around the world, visit
