Inverness community left questioning who was behind Fairways Business Park blaze which destroyed several businesses
A shocked Inverness community has been left questioning what lies behind a huge blaze which destroyed several businesses after a car was driven into a building.
Police Scotland, which described it as a “reckless act”, has launched a major hunt for a masked fire-raiser who deliberately drove a Skoda Octavia into the premises at Fairways Business Park just after midnight on Sunday morning. The building and car were then set alight.
A man wearing dark clothing and a balaclava was seen running away from the scene towards Sir Walter Scott Drive.
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Firefighters spent several hours putting out the blaze which completely gutted a building containing five different shop units including SJ Travel Centre, Scottish Premium Seafoods, a Harry Gow bakery, and Hair Chic hairdressers prompting one Highland councillor to predict it could cost the city economy millions of pounds.
As police remained at the scene today, the car was still there, covered in a tarpaulin.
Much of the car park also remained out of bounds.
Although not directly impacted by the fire, the neighbouring Inverness Kart Raceway said it would be closed for a few days while Inverness and District Indoor Bowling Club remained closed today.
The Fairways Golf Centre and Restaurant was closed on Sunday.
Inverness South councillor Ken Gowans believed the incident could cost the city economy millions in repairing the site and lost revenue to businesses and said the council would look at what support it may be able to offer those affected.
“Going by what the police have said so far, arson attacks of this order are unheard of in Inverness so people are understandably shocked and unsettled by it,” he said.
“But the police will, I am sure, investigate this to the utmost to find the perpetrator or perpetrators behind this and bring them to justice.
“This was a completely and utterly disgraceful attack that has devastated not just businesses but the people behind them.”
Norman Cordiner, chairman of Inshes and Milton of Leys Community Council, said the incident was very concerning.
“We don’t know what this is all about,” he said.
“We are still waiting to get information.”
He said the police had been going around households - including his own - seeking information.
“That is a positive sign that they are taking this seriously,” he said.
“The community council is very concerned by what has happened and has every sympathy for the businesses affected.
“The building has burnt down and will have to be replaced and we have every sympathy that will take time.”
Police officers want to speak to anyone with any information and are particularly keen to trace the occupants of a white pick-up truck seen in the area about 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.
