Lenzie Moss on Fire 30th April 2007

Commuters on the evening trains on Monday 30th April reported seeing smoke and flames from the trains and fire appliances in attendance fighting a fire on Lenzie Moss on the south side of the Railway toward the Gadloch. Luckily the wind kept the worst of the smoke off the train tracks otherwise as the flames came within feet of the train tracks the line would have been closed. As it was a considerable area of heathland has been reduced to blackened soot and charcoal.

On hearing the news our sturdy reporter got on his bike to survey the damage. But by the time he had arrived the fire was out and the fire appliance and fire personel had left. There were however quite obvious signs of the recent fire including the strong smell of burning and area where there was still smouldering vegetation from which smoke could be seen rising.

In the past most fires on Lenzie moss have been the result of vandals and have caused considerable damage and what kind of mindless people would set light to the Moss like this?

However, although the damage appears to be harmful, it is arguable that without the effects of fires to keep back the growth of trees and bushes, open areas like Lenzie Moss would soon become woodland.

By.Mike Haseler