Inverness Fairway Business Park blaze caused by balaclava-wearing suspect who rammed car into building and set both alight, Police Scotland officers in the Highlands confirm

A masked fire-raiser is being hunted by police after deliberately ramming a car into a building and torching the vehicle - causing a huge blaze that destroyed numerous shops.

Inverness residents woke on Sunday to the shock news that several businesses had been completely gutted in a major fire in the Fairways Business Park.

The blaze, which started shortly after midnight, completely gutted a building containing five different shop units - including SJ Travel Centre, Scottish Premium Seafoods, a Harry Gow bakery, and Hair Chic hairdressers.

And police have now confirmed that the blaze was deliberate and are hunting the person responsible.

The incident began at around 12.05am when police say a Skoda Octavia was “deliberately driven” into the premises at Fairways Business Park.

The building and car were then set alight. Officers said a man wearing dark clothing and a balaclava was then seen running away from the direction of the premises towards Walter Scott Drive.

Police are now looking to speak to anyone with any information and are particularly keen to trace the occupants of a white pick up truck, which was seen in the area around the time of the incident.

Detective Inspector Christopher Macleod said: "This was a reckless act and it is imperative that we find the person responsible.

"Extensive enquiries are ongoing and we are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time, or who has dashcam or other footage, to contact police.

"I'd also ask anyone in the area to contact us if they saw either of these vehicles in the area at the time of the incident.

"Think back, did you see anything suspicious?

"Anyone with information or dashcam footage should contact 101, quoting reference 0032 of 9 March. Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and give the information anonymously."

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