Also in the news / Lerwick house fire, hot fire test, barriers to voting for the blind, and more …
A HOUSE fire was reported in Lerwick on Tuesday afternoon, with two people handed into the care of the ambulance service.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were alerted at 4.05pm on Tuesday, 25 June to reports of a fire at a property on Bruce Crescent in Lerwick.
“Operations Control mobilised three appliances to the scene where crews extinguished the fire.
“Two casualties were handed into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service. Crews left after ensuring the area was made safe.”
ROCKET Factory Augsburg, the German company which is due to be the first to launch from the SaxaVord Spaceport, is preparing for another hot fire test in the near future.
The company said it has successfully installed nine Helix engines to the first stage of RFA One, adding never before have so many engines been fitted to a European rocket.
In May this year, the company released a video showing a first successful hot fire test in Unst which involved four Helix engines.
SaxaVord Spaceport officially opened at the end of May with the first rocket launch still expected for August this year.
SHETLAND-born actress Sandra Voe has starred in a film which highlights the need for accessible voting for blind and partially sighted people.
In the last general election, only 13 per cent of blind people could vote independently and in secret.
The short film depicts a woman, played by 87-year-old Voe, entering a polling station to cast her vote, and finding a security camera talking to her within her booth.
RNIB’s chair of trustees Anna Tylor said: “It’s been over 150 years since people have had the right to vote in secret, but this right still isn’t afforded to many of the two million blind and partially sighted people like me who face significant barriers to voting independently.”
The RNIB has written an open letter calling on the next prime minister to make voting accessible once and for all, to ensure blind and partially sighted people can cast their vote independently and in secret.
LERWICK Brewery has been shortlisted as a finalist in three categories of the Scottish Beer Awards 2024.
Lerwick IPA is a finalist in the best British style ale category, Tushkar Oatmeal Stout is a finalist in the best porter or stout category and the company has been shortlisted for the best beer destination award.
Head brewer Jonny Sandison said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted as a finalist in three categories and are proud to showcase the quality of food and drink being produced in Shetland.”
The winners will be announced on Wednesday 11 September at an awards ceremony in Glasgow.
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