DALNEIGH BLAZE: No criminality involved in devastating house fire but Scottish Fire and Rescue Service forced to return as gutted property reignites
Police have confirmed there was no criminality involved in a blaze that destroyed an Inverness home on Thursday morning.
It has also emerged that firefighters, having extinguished the fire, had to return to the scene at 184 St Valery Avenue, Dalneigh, after fire took hold for a second time.
As flames first engulfed the council property before 6am, the only occupant, John ‘Boy’ MacPhee, escaped by leaping from an upper floor bedroom window.
Mr MacPhee was injured, but treated at the scene and did not require to be taken to hospital.
We told yesterday how local shopkeeper Brian Duncan’s quick-thinking actions helped neighbours safely evacuate their homes.
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “We were made aware of a fire at a property on St Valery Avenue in Inverness around 6am on Thursday, 4 January.
“The fire was extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and no one was injured.
“The fire is not being treated as suspicious.”
The fire service had declared the gutted property safe sometime after noon yesterday, but were forced to return.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "We were alerted at 5.57am on Thursday, 4 January to reports of a dwelling fire in Inverness.
"Operations Control mobilised five fire appliances to the city's St Valery Avenue, where firefighters extinguished the fire and worked to make the area safe before leaving the scene.
"One casualty was treated at the scene by Scottish Ambulance Service personnel but did not require to be taken to hospital.
"Crews re-attended the scene having been alerted at 1.41pm on Thursday, 4 January to reports of a small reignition involving debris.
"Firefighters thereafter extinguished the fire and ensured the area was safe before leaving the scene."
