Fairways Business Park fire could cost Inverness economy millions as Councillor Ken Gowans slams the ‘utterly disgraceful attack that has devastated not just businesses but the people behind them’
The fire at Fairways Business Park in Inverness at the weekend could cost the city economy millions in repairing the site and the lost revenue to businesses, a leading Highland councillor has said.
Police are hunting for a masked individual who “deliberately rammed” a Skoda Octavia into a building at the business park shortly after midnight on Sunday before torching the vehicle.
The resulting blaze gutted the building containing five different shop units, including SJ Travel Centre, Scottish Premium Seafoods, a Harry Gow bakery, and Hair Chic hairdressers.
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• Aerial footage shows scale of fire devastation at Fairways Business Park in Inverness
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service managed to prevent the flames from spreading to the adjacent Inverness Kartway, Indoor Bowling and Travel Lodge.
In the cold light of day the damage caused by the flames was clear and Ken Gowans, a local councillor and the chairman of the economy and infrastructure committee, believes the bill will be in the millions.
“The council will, of course, look at what support it may be able to offer those affected by this fire which has occurred under very worrying circumstances”, he said.
“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.
“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.
“Those behind this struck under cover of darkness as would be expected but in a way it is a blessing it happened when the area was not fully populated.
“Had the fire spread to the nearby Travel Lodge at night time does not bear thinking about – and we have the incredible and brave response of the emergency services to thank for that.
“This was a completely and utterly disgraceful attack that has devastated not just businesses but the people behind them.
“I might expect the cost to run into the millions to safely clear and reinstate the site while neighbouring buildings may have to be inspected as well.
“Above all the impact will be most keenly felt by the lost income from closures short and long on the businesses and their staff.”
