Inverness bakery Harry Gow says all 7 staff at fire-damaged Fairways unit will return to posts
Staff at an Inverness baker’s shop destroyed in a massive blaze are being redeployed until they can return to a rebuilt unit.
Harry Gow Bakery was among several impacted businesses after a car was deliberately driven into a building at Fairways Business Park and then set alight along with the building at the weekend.
A major police investigation has been launched and a hunt is ongoing for the balaclava-wearing fire-raiser.
• Inverness bakery Harry Gow hopes to be back following Fairways Business Park blaze
• Who did this? Community left shocked in aftermath of Inverness blaze
• Inverness Fairways Business Park blaze investigations continue
Harry Gow Bakery, which has 17 store across the Highlands and Moray, has already vowed to return to Fairways, stating “in true Highland spirit, it's about picking up the pieces and moving forward”.
Fraser Gow today reiterated that message.
“We have seven staff at Fairways who will all return to their posts when we reopen,” he said.
“In the meantime, they will help us fill any gaps within our other shops.”
He added the landlord of the rented unit had given assurances that they would 100 per cent be rebuilding and reopening although he said it was too early to give any timescales.
People, meanwhile, have posted messages of support on social media.
One customer, who said her thoughts were with all the affected business, urged them to keep strong and positive.
“A terrible and cowardly act by the culprit and I hope they are caught,” she said.
“Such a lovely bakery and a strong family behind it - you will get through this.”
Another posted: “I hope you are all up and running asap. So sorry for all you’re going through. Hope it helps that so many of us care about you all.
“Thankful to all the emergency services. It’s great seeing the community united in difficult times.”
Another woman said she would miss the cheery faces and great chat of the bakery staff during her weekly bread collection.
One man described the damage done to all the businesses as sad and reflected it was good no one was injured.
The incident happened just after midnight on Sunday morning when a Skoda Octavia was driven into the building containing five different shop units including SJ Travel Centre, Scottish Premium Seafoods, a Harry Gow bakery, and Hair Chic hairdressers.
A man wearing dark clothing and a balaclava was seen running away from the scene towards Sir Walter Scott Drive.
Firefighters from six different stations spent several hours putting out the blaze.
Police Scotland has described it as a reckless act while the community has been left shocked and questioning who was behind it.
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.
Anyone with information or dashcam footage relevant to the incident is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference 0032 of 9 March, or to pass information on anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
