Firefighters successfully contained Inverness fire to just M&Co and upstairs salon, service confirms
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A DEVASTATING fire which gutted a shop in the heart of Inverness was successfully contained by firefighters, the service has confirmed.
Crews from Inverness, Dingwall, Fortrose and Nairn battled through the night to extinguish the blaze, which began in the M&Co building on the corner of Strothers Lane and Academy Street at 10pm last night. They also received support from a specialist Aberdeen unit.
The fire in the two storey building was well-developed when firefighters arrived and at the height of the blaze crews were using six main jets, two hose reel jets and aerial rescue platforms.
Group Manager Dave Leishman, who has been at the scene all night, said: "The fire was well-developed when we arrived. We have successfully managed to contain it to the immediate property and stopped it spreading to the surrounding premises.
"Fire crews did an excellent job and operated in very arduous conditions to gain control of the incident.
"I would also like to thank the staff at Wetherspoons public house and the Pentahotel for very kindly providing refreshments for the crews during the incident."
He added: "An investigation into the cause will be carried out along with our partners at Police Scotland when the premises has been deemed safe to enter."
