“Crews have had to withdraw due to dangers and wait for more appliances to arrive to get more manpower.”
Crews have battled the blaze for over seven hours(Image: Edinburgh Live)
Fire crews battling a huge wildfire in West Lothian have been forced to withdraw and “await more manpower” after tackling the inferno for over seven hours.
Emergency services were called to the scene in the Lanrigg Road area in Fauldhouse, near Whitburn, after the alarm was raised shortly before 11.45am on Saturday.
A picture shared with Edinburgh Live showed a huge plume of smoke billowing up into the sky as the fire quickly spread.
Around 50 firefighters battled to bring the wildfire under control, with a helicopter being used to drop water on the affected area.
Those living nearby were urged to keep their windows and doors closed due to the smoke.
The fire service had earlier warned of an “extreme” risk of wildfires due to the warm, dry weather.
A spokesperson from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We received a call of a wildfire at 11.43am on Saturday, May 10.
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“We have been responding to ongoing wildfires going on since 11.47am when our first crews arrived. Crews have had to withdraw due to dangers and wait for more appliances to arrive to get more manpower.
“Nine appliances are in attendance plus three special appliances.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Emergency services are in attendance at fires in the Lanrigg Road [area], Fauldhouse, near Whitburn.
“There have been no reports of any injuries, however, as a precaution, officers are advising local residents in the Heartlands, Armadale and Whitburn areas to keep their windows and doors closed as they deal with this incident.
“Police were called to the scene around 12.30pm. Please avoid the scene whilst emergency services are dealing with the incident.”