Storm Brendan's winds tears Forbeshill roof off in Forres
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STORM Brendan's extreme winds tore the roof off a house in Forres on Monday evening.
Emma Robertson and her partner Kyle McIlwraith from 21 Forbeshill were terrified as a hole torn in their neighbour's bedroom ceiling by gusts of around 80mph looked like it might rip open their own.
Emma, a local nurse, said: "I was making dinner and we heard a ripping noise. I thought it was just really bad wind but when Kyle heard the commotion outside we went out and looked.
"We saw next door's roof hanging off - part of it had snapped and insulation blocks were flying off, landing in gardens. It was scary to watch and see it just flapping about!"
Operations technician Kyle worried that matters could get worse as the elements continued to batter the street.
He said: "I was concerned for the neighbours and what could happen through the night if the wind got worse."
Emma added: "The fire brigade came out with another rescue appliance from Inverness to secure it. However, the crane had a problem and couldn't manage it so the fire brigade had to.
"They somehow pinned and secured it with a rope attached to one of the fence posts."
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they were alerted at 5.20pm on Monday, January 13 to reports of a damaged roof which had come adrift from a property at Forbeshill, Forres.
A spokesman said: "One fire and one height appliance were mobilised to the property, where crews ensured the area was safe. One appliance returned again at around 8am on Tuesday, January 14 to check the structure, and the incident has now been closed."
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