A huge fire has broken out on Edinburgh’s iconic Arthur’s Seat, sending thick plumes of smoke billowing across the Scottish capital. Emergency crews raced to the landmark after the alarm was raised shortly after 6.30pm on Sunday evening.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said four fire appliances were sent to tackle the blaze after receiving several calls from members of the public.

Images shared on social media appear to show the fire spreading across Salisbury Crags, while footage from the area shows flames continuing to burn into the evening.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: “We were alerted at 6.38pm on Sunday, 19 July to reports of a fire in the open at Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh. Operations Control mobilised six fire appliances and specialist resources to the scene where firefighters are working to extinguish a fire affecting an area of grass. There are no reported casualties and crews remain at the scene.”

Police have also urged motorists to avoid the area as emergency services respond to the incident.

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