Smoke spotted from across the city while firefighters tackle a grass fire by St Anthony's Chapel; over 180 emergency calls logged
The skyline over the city filled with smoke this evening when a blaze ignited close to the ruins of St Anthony’s Chapel in Holyrood Park. Witnesses reported plumes visible from several districts, drawing attention to the hillside near Arthur’s Seat, a well-known landmark.
Emergency services described the initial report as grass on fire, a phrase used by callers to convey that vegetation rather than buildings was alight. The location, on exposed slopes and historic ground, presents accessibility challenges that can affect how crews contain a developing wildfire-style incident within an urban park.
Fire control teams were alerted at 6.18pm, according to the service, after a large volume of calls from the public. In total, firefighters have logged more than 180 emergency calls connected to this event, prompting a rapid mobilization of units.
At the time of reporting, one fire appliance is confirmed at the scene and two further appliances have been dispatched to the area. Authorities are continuing to take multiple reports from residents, and the situation remains under active management as crews work to prevent escalation.
Incident overview
Initial accounts indicate the fire began in a grassy section of the park near the chapel ruins and moved quickly enough to generate visible smoke across the city. Because the terrain around Arthur’s Seat is open and uneven, gusts of wind can change a small fire’s behaviour rapidly, increasing the urgency for an organised response. The park’s historic and ecological importance means teams must balance speed with care to protect both people and landscape. Observers on nearby streets and elevated viewpoints reported dense smoke, prompting a high number of calls into the emergency line.
Emergency response
Firefighters have been coordinating an on-the-ground response with a focus on containment and public safety. One appliance remains at the immediate scene working to control hot spots while two additional appliances have been dispatched to reinforce the operation. Crews are prioritising accessibility to the affected slope and deploying hoses and tools suitable for vegetation fires in an urban park setting. The tactical aim is to establish control lines and prevent the fire from reaching more sensitive or hard-to-reach areas of the park.
Resources deployed
The resources sent include water-bearing fire appliances and trained crews prepared to tackle grass fires on sloped and rugged terrain. Personnel are also monitoring potential risks to visitors and nearby properties, although the fire is currently reported within parkland rather than residential zones. Emergency teams coordinate through a central command to sequence appliance movements and ensure safe working areas for crews. Additional assets could be called in if conditions change or the blaze shows signs of spreading.
Public reports and calls
More than 180 emergency calls have been received, reflecting widespread observation of the smoke and concern from local residents. Call volume indicates that the incident is visible from many vantage points across the city, and the multiplicity of reports helps responders piece together how the fire is behaving in different sectors of the park. Operators continue to prioritise calls that indicate immediate danger to life or property while relaying situational updates to crews on site.
Safety guidance and next steps
Authorities advise people to avoid the affected area of Holyrood Park while crews work, and to follow any instructions from emergency services. Smoke can cause breathing irritation, so those with respiratory conditions should consider staying indoors and keeping windows closed. Park users and walkers in adjacent zones should take alternative routes and heed cordons or temporary closures put in place to safeguard both the public and fire teams. The combination of open slopes and historic ruins makes controlled access necessary until the scene is declared safe.
Monitoring and updates
This is an active incident and updates will be issued as the situation evolves. Fire authorities remain on site and have mobilised multiple units to manage the grass fire; further information will follow once teams have a fuller assessment of containment and damage. Members of the public are encouraged to rely on official channels for verified updates rather than sharing unconfirmed reports, helping emergency services focus resources on response rather than clarification of rumours.
