Dramatic images reveal scale of blaze which destroyed 'massive stack' of straw bales in the Scottish Borders

"A massive stack" of straw bales has been destroyed by fire, believed to have been started deliberately, in the Scottish Borders.

Firefighters raced to the scene at the entrance to Heiton after the alarm was raised shortly before midday today (Sunday).

A photograph taken by an eyewitness shows the scale of the blaze, in a field at the side of the A698 road, between Kelso and Crailing.

Crews fought to bring the blaze under control, but the family farming the field have been left to count the cost. The winter wheat straw alone is valued at around £8,000.

Police are treating the fire as "wilful" and say enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

WATCH: Click on the link below to view eye-witness footage from the scene...

Sergeant Stephen Granger, from Police Scotland, said: “We are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anything to contact us.

“We also ask any motorists in the area at the time who may have dashcam footage to come forward.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 1737 of September 1st, 2024.”

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