A MAJOR clear-up was under way today after a massive blaze at a historic castle.
A MAJOR clear-up was under way today after a massive blaze at a historic castle.
At the height of the blaze last night smoke could be seen for miles around the A-Listed Lennox Castle in East Dunbartonshire.
More than 30 firefighters were involved in tackling the huge fire, yards from Celtic's £8million training academy, and fire crews spent most the night battling the blaze at the former mental hospital, which has been derelict and fenced off since 2002.
It's understood a large part of the tower of the 19th century building was destroyed during the blaze.
Neighbours raised the alarm shortly before 6pm after smoke from the flames spread across the Campsie Hills.
Jock Porter, 78, of Lennoxtown, said: "I saw huge flames leaping out of the building.
"The smoke was stretching right across the sky. I can see that part of the tower has gone in the fire."
A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Fire and Rescue said 13 appliances, including one high-reach vehicle, tackled the inferno.
The fire was fully extinguished at 9.55pm but two fire crews were at the scene today to secure the area.
Lennox Castle has been listed as a building at risk since 2002 and local groups have campaigned to save it from falling into ruin.
The castle was commissioned in 1837 by John Lennox Kincaid, and built by the architect David Hamilton.
It was used as a hospital during the First World War, but did not become a hospital outright until March 1927.
Meanwhile, two people were taken to hospital and more than 70 residents were evacuated after a fire swept through a multi-storey block in Dumbarton.
A man and woman were treated for suspected smoke inhalation after a blaze broke out on the 13th floor of a 15-storey tower block last night.
The fire started around 7.30pm in the town's Lomond Court.
Crews had the fire under control by around 8.30pm but three fire appliances were still at the scene at 11.30pm.
The two casualties were taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.
