Firefighters tackle blaze at Diageo malting plant

Fire crews spent more than 12 hours tackling a blaze at Diageo’s Moray-based Burghead Maltings last night.

Firefighters were called to the scene to Daigeo’s Burghead Maltings yesterday

As reported by the BBC, emergency service were called to the scene at about 5.10pm on yesterday (Tuesday 24 February), with up to 24 firefighters tackling the blaze.

The fire did not spread outside of one of the seven kilns inside the plant, which is thought to hold around 60 tonnes of malt.

“The crews worked tirelessly through the night in what continues to be a very protracted incident,” said David Meldrum, Scottish Fire and Rescue group manager.

Crews from Elgin, Lossiemouth, Fochabers and Forres were all called to the scene and were joined by an aerial rescue platform. Three fire engines still resided at the plant this morning.

A spokesperson for Diageo said: “I can confirm that emergency services were called to a fire inside one of the kilns at our Burghead Maltings in Moray. The fire service controlled and contained the incident.

“There were no injuries as a result of the fire. The damage to the kiln appears to be minor and there was no damage to the other parts of the maltings plant which will return to operation this afternoon.”