Firefighters tackle grass fire near Arthur's Seat through the night

News imageBBC Flames and smoke can be seen in gorse bushes on a hillside next to rock outcrops and stone ruins. The sky above is cloudless blue.BBC

Firefighters have worked through the night to tackle a large grass fire in Holyrood Park near Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh.

The fire started in an area of vegetation near the ruins of St Anthony's Chapel, sending plumes of smoke over the city.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) confirmed they were called to the scene at about 18:50.

Police closed a path close to the blaze as firefighters on a ridge underneath the affected area assessed the situation. A police helicopter could also be seen circling overhead.

News imageSmoke can be seen in gorse bushes on a hillside next to rock outcrops and stone ruins. The sky above is cloudless blue and a gull flies in front of the smoke.
Plumes of smoke could be seen from across Edinburgh

A spokesperson for SFRS said: "There is a large amount of smoke resulting from this incident. Local area residents are advised to keep windows and doors shut as a precaution."

The spokesperson confirmed three appliances were sent to the scene on Monday.

Two fire engines remained at the scene at 06:30. There were no reported injuries.

In August last year, a gorse fire forced the closure of a road on the hill, which is near Edinburgh's historic old town.

The area was evacuated as the flames spread before the blaze was brought under control.

The latest fire comes as temperatures of 25C have been recorded in Edinburgh by the Met Office.

During the Edinburgh Marathon at the weekend, a number of runners were treated for heat exhaustion.

The Scottish Ambulance Service said 16 people were taken to hospital on Sunday.

News imageFire engines and a police car and van parked on a road through a park. Pedestrians in summer clothes are walking or standing nearby, and two cyclists are riding along the road.
Emergency crews were called to the scene at about 18:50