Firecrew trapped by raging gorse fire as they await helicopters

A firecrew battling the huge gorse fire in West Donegal have become trapped.

The crew are battling to save a house in the Belcruit area but have been surrounded by flames.

The firemen are not in immediate danger as they have doused the area around them.

They are now awaiting helicopters to put out the fires around them so they can exit the area and secure the house.

One fireman told Donegal Daily “This is unreal stuff. I have battled a lot of gorse fires over the years but this is amongst the most dangerous.

“Everything is bone dry and there is a strong wind so these are perfect conditions for the fires to spread rapidly,” he said.

Updated: The fire crew have now managed to be extracted from the area and all are safe and well.