Bin lorries burnt in fire

FIREFIGHTERS spent three hours tackling a blaze at a Midlothian Council refuse depot which ignited five bin lorries in the early hours of this morning.

Nearby heavy goods vehicles within the yard had to be removed to a safe distance after the fire started at the Stobhill Road depot in Newtongrange at around 12.40am.

Nineteen firefighters from stations in Dalkeith, Liberton and Newcraighall helped extinguish the blaze using hose reels and three pumping appliances. The refuse collection vehicles were described as "well alight".

A special support unit was also drafted in to help extinguish the fire.

The cause of the blaze is not yet known.