Two people have been hospitalised following a fire at an industrial unit containing “potentially hazardous materials” in the Scottish Borders.
The incident was reported at around 6.45am on Friday at the site in Walkerburn.
Crews from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) attended, including specialist units.
The fire has now been extinguished, but the service confirmed two people whoe were treated at the scene have since been taken to Borders General Hospital for further treatment on their injuries.
Due to an incident in Walkerburn the A72 is closed. Eastbound traffic from Innerleithen should use the Ashiestiel back road. All westbound traffic must use the A7. Please follow diversion signage.
— SBC (@scotborders) January 10, 2020
A Scottish Borders Council spokesperson said debris from the local area may contain asbestos but publish risk is "very low".
A statement on the local authority's website said: "Debris from the incident has been distributed into neighbouring residential areas in the vicinity of Caberston Road, which we believe includes roof tiles which may contain asbestos.
"A risk assessment is being carried out, however we believe that the risk to the public is very low due to the type of material involved.
"Whilst the responsibility for the clean-up will be the responsibility of the site owners, we and partners are working closely with them to ensure that all public safety matters are dealt with as a priority.
"Any member of the public who finds debris within their property is asked to leave it in situ and contact our Environmental Health team via 0300 100 1800.
"The aim is for specialist licensed contractors to be on site later today to commence clean-up operations. This may require access to some private property.
"We continue to work with partners in relation to the incident."
#Walkerburn fire: debris distributed in local area from incident may contain asbestos but it is believed the public risk is very low. Any residents who find debris is asked to leave in situ with specialist contractors on site today to commence clear up https://t.co/R7C23MTQrV
— SBC (@scotborders) January 10, 2020
A SFRS spokesman said: “We were alerted at 6.44am on Friday to reports of a fire within an industrial unit in Walkerburn, Scottish Borders.
“Operations control mobilised two fire appliances and two specialist resources due to potentially hazardous materials, and firefighters are working to extinguish the flames.
“Two casualties have been treated at the scene, and crews remain in attendance.”
Scottish Borders Council said Walkerburn Primary School has been closed as a result of the incident.
The A72, which was closed between Innerleithen and The Nest roundabout near Caddonlee, has now reopened.
A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We received a call at 6.51am today to attend an incident in Walkerburn.
“We dispatched one ambulance to the scene and transported two patients to Borders General Hospital.”
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