Fire ripped through a small garage in Dumfries and sent huge clouds of smoke billowing across the River Nith on Wednesday afternoon.
The blaze broke out at Tweedies Motors, Rosefield Mills, about 4.25pm and witnesses spoke of tyres exploding like “gun shots” while black, acrid smoke engulfed the area and swept over to Dock Park.
Four fire engines were at the scene within minutes – with two more arriving later – and quickly had the outbreak under control with no reports of anyone injured.
A fire service spokeswoman said: “The call came into us at 4.25pm about Tweedies Motors being on fire near Troqueer Road.
“At the height of the incident there were six tenders there and approximately 30 firefighters.
“But they were not all there for long as it was under control quite quickly. Firefighters were there until 11pm.”
Police blocked off Troqueer Road leading to Nellieville Terrace while the emergency was being dealt with.
One witness, Martin Finnigan, 36, of Henry Street, said: “I was in the Troqueer Arms with friends when we just saw the smoke coming out the back window.
“We ran out the front of the pub to make sure the garage owner, I just know him as wee Roy, was okay and fortunately he is.
“Just two seconds later the fire engines came around the corner.”
He added: “Our concern was for Roy and anyone else who worked there. It’s good that everyone’s okay.”
One man, who declined to give his details, said: “The smoke coming out of the place was incredible and then you could hear the popping of the tyres like gun shots going off.”
Another eye witness was James Maitland, 26, of Auchencairn, who works as a welder in Cargenbridge.
He said: “I was here to go to the gym called Impact nearer the waterfront at the back of the buildings and at first when I saw the smoke I thought the gym was on fire.
One woman at the scene, who refused to give her name, said: “I live locally and just saw the smoke and came to see what happened. It’s terrible and a shame for the owner of the place. Thankfully everyone is okay.”
