Emergency services are battling a huge blaze at a former Scots convent for the second time in a matter of months. Six fire crews were scrambled at the former St Benedict's convent in Dumfries shortly before 7.30pm on Tuesday and urged members of the public to stay away from the area.
Residents are being asked to not block any roads with vehicles in surrounding areas as emergency crews will require access to several streets. Maxwell Street, Rosemount Street, Laurieknowe, Church Street, Mill Road and Corberry Avenue were all closed while fire crews tackled the inferno.
Nearby residents were also advised to shut their windows due to the smoke. Videos of the massive blaze posted on social media show dark clouds of smoke billowing into the air as the inferno can be seen from a distance, with the historic building engulfed in flames.
Three fire crews remained on the scene almost 12 hours later A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said on Wednesday morning: “We were alerted at 7.25pm on Tuesday, May 16 to reports of a building on fire at Maxwell Street, Dumfries.
“Operations Control mobilised six fire appliances to the area, where firefighters were met by a well-developed fire. Three fire appliances currently remain on the scene with firefighters continuing to work towards extinguishing the fire. There are no reported casualties."
A Police Scotland statement said: "Around 7.30pm on Tuesday, 16 May, we were made aware of a fire at a building on Maxwell Street, Dumfries. Officers are in attendance assisting colleagues from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service with traffic management.
"Maxwell Street, Rosemount Street, Laurieknowe, Church Street, Mill Road and Corberry Avenue are closed. The public is asked to avoid the area and nearby residents advised to shut their windows due to the smoke."
It comes just nine months after the abandoned building, which dates back to 1884, was deliberately set alight in August 2022. A 19-year-old man was charged in connection with the incident.
The property is known for being the setting for Peter Mullan's 2002 film, the Magdalene Sisters.
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