FIRE ALERT UPDATE: Smouldering cigarette in drain may have caused minor fire that closed an Inverness city centre street
A fire alert that forced the closure of an Inverness city centre street appears to have been caused by a smouldering cigarette discarded in a drain.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) crew responded swiftly after a member of the public reported seeing smoke coming from the foot of a building in Union Street at 11.42 am this morning.
The street was closed to traffic and an area around the building, containing Waverley Guesthouse and the Lucky Bowl Chinese restaurant, was cordoned off.
Two appliances from Inverness attended, with the premises carefully checked inside and out, with a hose reel jet and a 34ft ladder deployed.
It is understood the fire proved to be small and external to the premises.
Neighbouring occupants were not asked to evacuate the building.
Traffic is now flowing freely again on Union Street.
A spokesman for SFRS confirmed: “There have not been any casualties and our understanding is there has been nothing untoward found within the building, although we are still awaiting the stop message at this time.”
