The blaze at Tenants March, just outside West Calder, took hold at around 8pm on March 18.
Residents of a sleepy West Lothian street were forced into action after a gang of youths reportedly started a fire in a field opposite their homes.
The blaze at Tenants March, just outside West Calder, took hold at around 8pm on March 18.
A local claims around eight teens dressed all in black are said to have set alight grass next to a wooden fence bordering a lane running from the road into the village, before fleeing and worrying sheep in another field.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were called by a passing motorist. One local explained how he and his neighbour had to act quickly to control the flames before crews arrived.
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He told Edinburgh Live: “I was more worried about it spreading down the lane . It was grass that they had lit and it was travelling quickly along the fence line and causing further fire in the opposite hedge. It could easily have spread.
“The kids were also in fields at back of my house same ones chasing and shouting at the sheep which are all in lamb just now.”
Pictures from the scene show the flames roaring around wooden fence posts, and the charred state of the grass on Thursday morning.
Police Scotland have confirmed nobody was injured, but enquiries are underway.
The resident also shared his concerns about other incidents involving youths in the village, including riding motorbikes and e-bikes in farmers’ fields.
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He added: “I get it young people do make mistakes but they also need to be held responsible for their actions. And parents need to try their best to be aware of what their children are doing and not ignore concerning behaviour like this.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 8.10pm on Wednesday, March 18, to reports of a fire in the open at Tenants March, West Calder, West Lothian.
“Operations Control mobilised one appliance to the scene and firefighters extinguished a hedge fire. Crews left the scene at 8.24pm once ensuring the area was made safe.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were made aware of a fire on Tenants March, West Calder, around 8pm on Wednesday, March 18.
“There were no reports of any injuries and enquiries are at an early stage.”
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