FIREFIGHTERS are battling a massive blaze at a popular hotel in South Lanarkshire.

A fire has broken out at the Popinjay Hotel, on Lanark Road, in Rosebank, near Carluke on Thursday morning. 

Rosebank resident Wendy May Newton who lives opposite the hotel told the Glasgow Times that "it looks like half the gym roof is gone". 

She added: "It started around 7.30am. There were about six or seven fire engines I counted plus, support service, then one more engine appeared then another several minutes later and gradually more and more arrived."

Glasgow Times:

Glasgow Times:

Glasgow Times:

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they are in attendance and currently tackling the blaze.

Ten fire engines have been mobilised. 

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 7.18am on Thursday, August 18 to reports of a building on fire at Lanark Road, Rosebank, Lanarkshire.

“Operations Control mobilised 10 fire appliances, one height vehicle and specialist resources to a fire affecting a commercial property.

“There are no reported casualties at this time and crews are still in attendance.”

Glasgow Times: A picture of the aftermath.A picture of the aftermath.

Police are also on the scene to assist with traffic management. 

A stretch of the A72 is currently closed. 

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 8.05am on Thursday, August 18, 2022, police received a report of a fire at the rear of a hotel in Lanark Road.

"Police are in attendance to assist with traffic management. 

"The A72 is closed from Garrion Bridge to Crossford Bridge and motorists are asked to avoid the area and seek alternative routes."