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Six-Month-Long Blaze Finally Extinguished After Prolonged Battle

A mysterious underground fire has broken out in a street in Coatbridge, sparking flames after lying dormant for 120 years.

Brian Kennedy has endured six months of living adjacent to a subterranean fire that has been burning at temperatures reaching up to 500C.

The fire has left Brian and his neighbours contending with smoke, ash, and a potent chemical odour that has been likened to a "war zone", with some residents describing the experience as unbearable.

The scene unfolding on a suburban street in Coatbridge is unexpected and alarming.

From the street, the houses on Burleigh Street appear to be typical west of Scotland homes, but the reality is far from ordinary.

At the rear of the properties, a wooded area has been the site of deep-seated fires that have been sending smoke billowing into the air, causing concern among residents about their safety.

An investigation by experts revealed that an underground fire, fuelled by oil shale used in the construction of a railway line 120 years ago, was the source of the problem.

a man showing black soot on his finger standing in front of a building site with diggers on it. — Brian Kennedy has lived on Burleigh Street for most of his life.

Although the cause of the fires remains unclear, efforts to extinguish them involved the removal of tonnes of molten material from deep beneath the surface.

Brian, who grew up on Burleigh Street and returned with his wife Allison two years ago, has been witnessing the smoke plumes from his window since last summer.

In an interview with BBC Scotland News, Brian described the situation as reminiscent of World War One, with the constant smoke and ash a stark contrast to the area's former tranquillity.

He drew parallels between the current state of his neighbourhood and the trenches of World War One, highlighting the drastic change.

Brian reflected on the area's past, describing it as a haven for wildlife and a beautiful place to live, now marred by the ongoing fire.

Allison expressed her fear of the fire spreading to their house, recounting nights when she would rush downstairs in panic after seeing a red glow through the bathroom window.

a building site behind a row of houses. — The fire has now been extinguished.

On multiple occasions, she would hear the fire crackling and fear the worst, thinking that the fire had spread to their property.

The constant dirt and grime have made it impossible for her to maintain their garden, and the smell has been a persistent problem.

Allison noted that the smell was so potent that her sisters, who live 10 minutes away, could also detect it.

The smell has been a significant issue for the residents, with many struggling to cope with the constant odour.

Allison's sisters, who live nearby, have also been affected by the smell, which has become a persistent problem for the community.

Residents were advised to keep their windows and doors closed during the fire and excavation process to minimize exposure to the smoke and ash.

Despite these precautions, residents have struggled to keep their properties clean, with soot and dirt accumulating on windows, patios, and cars.

Some residents with pre-existing health conditions, such as COPD and asthma, have reported a worsening of their symptoms, while one resident noted that even their dog had started to cough due to the poor air quality.

However, the local authority has maintained that air pollution levels have remained within safe limits throughout the incident.

Andrew Gallagher, another resident, described the scene from his bedroom window as resembling a "war zone", with multiple fires and smoke plumes visible.

A man with dark hair and facial hair, wearing a black hoodie standing in front of a garden shed and fence. — Andrew Gallagher said the view from his window is like "Chernobyl".

He recounted the unpredictable nature of the fires, which would erupt at any time, including in the early hours of the morning.

The area, once teeming with wildlife, has been transformed into a desolate landscape, with residents likening it to Chernobyl.

Andrew noted that while the smoke has begun to clear in recent months, the aftermath of the fire is still a disturbing sight.

The fire has left residents and authorities alike searching for answers, with many struggling to comprehend the scale of the disaster.

David Haggerty, group commander for Lanarkshire at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, stated that this was the first subterranean fire he had encountered in his 25-year career.

Stewart Browne said determining what was burning was difficult.

The fire service first responded to the incident in July, after a series of small surface fires were reported over several weeks.

As they dug deeper, they realized the complexity of the situation and escalated the issue to the council, which then brought in specialist engineers and contractors.

One of the experts called in was Stewart Browne from the engineering firm WSP, who used geothermal imaging and 100-year-old maps to uncover the source of the fire.

Stewart discovered that the area behind Burleigh Street was once the site of a railway, which had been built using oil shale.

Oil shale, a material that was historically mined from the bedrock, was found to be the fuel source for the underground fire.

Although it is unclear what sparked the fire, Stewart noted that the combination of the fire's location and its proximity to the houses made it a particularly complex incident.

The fire was found to be burning at temperatures of up to 500C, requiring contractors to carefully excavate the material and allow it to cool before removal.

Stewart described the fire as "fascinating" but acknowledged the unfortunate circumstances surrounding it.

The excavation process involved removing tonnes of material, some of which was akin to "molten lava", and allowing it to cool before it could be safely removed.

This process generated significant amounts of smoke, which residents have been dealing with for months, and created a "sauna" effect when water was added to cool the shale.

The material removed during the excavation was often found to be in a molten state, making the process even more challenging.

North Lanarkshire Council has confirmed that the fire has been extinguished, with approximately 30,000 tonnes of material removed from the site.

The successful extinguishing of the fire brings an end to a difficult period for the residents of Burleigh Street, who can now begin to rebuild and recover from the ordeal.

Residents are anticipating the imminent departure of diggers, which they hope will mark a permanent conclusion to the excavation work in the area.

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GB’s Bankes knocked out in snowboard cross quarterfinals

Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain was knocked out in the quarter-final stage of the women’s snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain has been knocked out of the women's snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, failing to advance beyond the quarter-final stage.

For more Winter Olympics coverage, videos are available to stream.

Access to Winter Olympics video content is restricted to users in the United Kingdom.

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Family of Murder Victim Expresses Frustration Over Delayed Trial Scheduling

A 21-year-old woman, Chloe Mitchell, lost her life in June 2023, and a man is set to stand trial, facing a murder charge.

The family of Chloe Mitchell, a 21-year-old woman from Ballymena, is facing further uncertainty as they await the outcome of a trial for her alleged murderer, which may be impacted by an ongoing barristers' strike.

A close-up photo of Chloe Mitchell - a young woman with long, straight, fair hair - smiling at the camera. She is wearing black-framed sunglasses with blue lenses on her head, which are partially visible. — Chloe Mitchell's remains were found eight days after she went missing in 2023

Chloe Mitchell's life was cut short in June 2023, when she was killed in an incident that has left her family and community in shock.

Brandon John Rainey, the man accused of her murder, is scheduled to stand trial on February 23, but the proceedings may be delayed due to the industrial action by defence barristers.

Following a recent court hearing to review trial arrangements, Nadine Mitchell, Chloe's sister, expressed her family's distress and frustration, telling BBC News NI that they are struggling to cope with the uncertainty.

Nadine Mitchell stated that her family has been left with no choice but to wait once again for a resolution, having already endured a prolonged period of anxiety and uncertainty.

The family's emotional turmoil is evident, with Nadine describing the experience as a prolonged period of distress, marked by sleepless nights and unbearable tension.

The Mitchell family is struggling to come to terms with their situation, which has left them feeling overwhelmed and distraught.

The current strike by defence barristers in Northern Ireland, which began last month, is a result of a long-standing dispute over legal aid fees, with barristers arguing that their fees have not kept pace with inflation.

The strike has brought almost all criminal trials in Northern Ireland to a standstill, with the exception of cases where the defendant does not require legal aid.

The Mitchell family has appealed for their case to be treated as an exception, allowing the trial to proceed as scheduled.

Chloe Mitchell, who was 21 at the time of her disappearance, was reported missing in early June 2023, prompting an extensive search operation.

Her remains were discovered about a week later, following a series of searches in the Ballymena area.

Brandon John Rainey was subsequently arrested and charged with Chloe's murder, which is alleged to have taken place between June 2 and June 5, 2023.

Rainey also faces a charge of attempting to prevent the lawful burial of a deceased body.

The dispute between barristers and the Department of Justice centres on the level of legal aid fees, which barristers claim have not increased since 2005.

A close-up of Brandon Rainey, a man with short, fair hair and stubble, looking at the camera. He is sitting in a vehicle on a dark, wet night. — Brandon Rainey is accused of the murder of Chloe Mitchell

Barristers argue that the fees have not kept pace with inflation, resulting in a significant decrease in their real-terms value over the past 20 years.

The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) has warned that the low fees have created a crisis in the justice system, with many younger barristers refusing to take on legal aid cases due to the low rates of pay.

The CBA has described the strike as a "last resort" in their dispute with the Department of Justice, which has been ongoing for some time.

Despite an announced 16% increase in fees, which is set to take effect in mid-January, the strike has continued, with barristers arguing that the increase does not go far enough to address their concerns.

Chloe's father, George Mitchell, has previously appealed for an exception to be made in their case, allowing the trial to proceed despite the strike.

George Mitchell has argued that any delay to the trial would cause further trauma and distress for the families of victims.

He had invited Justice Minister Naomi Long to meet with him and his wife, Georgina, to discuss the matter further.

However, Minister Long has stated that it is not feasible to allow individual cases to proceed while the dispute over legal aid fees remains unresolved, citing ethical and practical concerns.

The minister has reiterated that the decision to grant exceptions lies with the CBA, which must weigh the competing demands of their members and the needs of the justice system.

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Keanu Reeves’ John Wick Video Game Revealed at PlayStation Event

The iconic hitman has made previous appearances in games, however, the version developed by Saber will mark the first instance where the character is voiced by Reeves.

A video game adaptation of the John Wick franchise, which has grossed over $1 billion worldwide, is in development, with Keanu Reeves set to lend his likeness and voice to the project.

An in game screenshot of a video game version of Keanu Reeves as the character John Wick. He is wearing a suit and looking at the camera.

The game, currently titled "Untitled John Wick Game", is being developed by Saber Interactive, the studio behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, in collaboration with Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick film series.

A trailer for the game, expected to serve as a prequel to the film series, was unveiled during PlayStation's "State of Play" event on Thursday.

The event also featured announcements for remakes of several major game franchises, including the God of War trilogy, as well as a special 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman.

The John Wick film series, which has earned over $1 billion globally, follows the story of a retired assassin, played by Keanu Reeves, as he seeks vengeance in a world of high-stakes action.

Although the character of John Wick has appeared in games before, this will be the first time Keanu Reeves has provided his voice for the role.

Reeves has previous experience in the gaming industry, having played a key role in the hit game Cyberpunk 2077 as the character Johnny Silverhand.

According to Matthew Karch, CEO of Saber Interactive, the development team is "honored" to be working with Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves to bring the John Wick universe to life in a AAA game.

The game's story will be an original narrative designed for mature audiences, featuring a mix of familiar characters from the film series and new ones.

Jenefer Brown, president of global products at Lionsgate, the producer of the John Wick films, expressed the company's goal of capturing the "intense action" and "distinctive fight choreography" that define the franchise.

The reaction to the game's announcement has been largely positive among fans on social media.

However, some fans have expressed concerns about the potential impact on Saber Interactive's other projects, including the long-awaited remake of the classic Star Wars game Knights of the Old Republic.

Christopher Dring, editor-in-chief of The Game Business, believes that the John Wick game is a strong fit for Saber Interactive, given the studio's experience with action-oriented IPs and its ability to release multiple games across various genres.

Dring notes that Saber Interactive operates as a collective of studios working on multiple IPs, allowing it to release a diverse range of games annually.

During the same event, Sony announced that Santa Monica Studios is working on remakes of the first three God of War games, building on one of the platform's most successful franchises.

An in-game screenshot of Silent Hill Townfall. We see the back of a man who is looking at a sign that says "Welcome to St. Amelia". — Konami's trailer for Silent Hill Townfall revealed it is set in St Amelia, a "fictional island inspired by Scotland"

Although a release date for the God of War remakes was not provided, Sony did announce a surprise side-scrolling prequel game, Sons of Sparta, which is available now.

The event also offered a first look at Townfall, the latest installment in the Silent Hill series, set on the fictional island of St. Amelia, which draws inspiration from Scotland.

A 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman was also announced, featuring five versions of the 1995 game, along with a near-immediate release.

Loic Gounon, brand producer for the Rayman games, discussed the anniversary edition with the BBC, highlighting the inclusion of a new documentary that explores the making of the original game, as well as accessibility features designed to enhance the experience for modern players.

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