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Inquiries by police and fire officers ongoing after man dies in Inverness flat blaze





The building in Tomatin Road, Hilton, remains fenced off following a fire. Picture: James Mackenzie
The building in Tomatin Road, Hilton, remains fenced off following a fire. Picture: James Mackenzie

Inquiries by police and fire officers are continuing five days after a man lost his life in a blaze in an Inverness flat.

Andy Adams - a former director of Blend Tea & Coffee Merchants in Drummond Street, Inverness - was unable to be saved as fire crews spent five hours tackling the fire above a row of shops in Tomatin Road, Hilton.

Today, the building remained fenced off as other residents and some businesses in the same block have been unable to return since the blaze in the early hours of Thursday.

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A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A joint investigation with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) remains ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the fire.”

Area Commander Michael Humphreys, the SFRS’s local senior officer for Highland, said sadly one person was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Our thoughts are very much with family, friends, and the wider community at this difficult time,” he said.

Highland Council, asked a series of questions including whether it was providing help in the aftermath of the fire such as finding alternative residential and commercial accommodation for those affected, was unable to respond.

“As we understand that there is a police investigation ongoing, it is not appropriate to comment,” a spokesperson said.

“We can, however, confirm that the council’s building control team has been assisting the emergency services.”

The damage to the flat above the shops in Tomatin Road, Hilton, is clearly visible. Picture: James Mackenzie
The damage to the flat above the shops in Tomatin Road, Hilton, is clearly visible. Picture: James Mackenzie

The death of Mr Adams has stunned and saddened many who paid heartfelt tributes.

He was the former business partner of Gemma Taylor, with whom he had a daughter, Rebecca.

Today, she took the difficult step of reopening Blend while a crowdfunding appeal has so far raised more than £1200 in support of the business.

It stated: “We've lost three days of trading already, as any small business in a tourist town knows, these days are vital in summer to keep the place going.

“In addition we've lost most of the perishable stock and all my baking supplies/equipment etc.

“Unfortunately, business insurance doesn't cover entire loss of home and bereavement.”

A crowdfunding appeal has also been launched on GoFundMe for Ewa Szabela, a member of staff at the city’s Kingsmills Hotel, who lost everything when her flat was destroyed.

So far it has raised almost £5000.

Affected businesses include the Wee Fabric Shop which has asked for patience from its customers after the blaze “rocked their lives” and destroyed the premises.

In a post on social media, it stated: “This has been a tough message to write. There has been a catastrophic fire in our building. Devastating and tragic for our neighbours above, to whom we wish our heartfelt condolences.”

It had nothing to add today as investigations were ongoing.

Utopia Cafe also thanked people for their messages of support during the horrendous ordeal and passed on their condolence to Andy and Gemma’s family and friends, and to all who knew him.

”We have been extremely lucky to suffer only the most minor of water damage at the cafe,” it stated on social media.

“However, the whole building is currently being assessed by surveyors and the authorities, and it’s unknown at this stage just how long it’ll take for our unit to be deemed safe to use.”

Other businesses in the block include Three Little Bakers and Nisa Local. The Nisa Local is open.

Those paying tribute to Mr Adams - who was a former manager at Bar One in Inverness - included Scott Murray, founder and chief executive of Cru Holdings which owns various hospitality businesses.

“A truly passionate hospitality professional, his ideas at work walked the line of genius and madness,” he said.

“There was quite simply never a dull day when Andy was around. And no matter which side of the line the idea fell, it would invariably be successful.”

Mr Adams had also been a member of the American Football team, the Highland Wildcats.

Former Wildcats senior men's team head coach Brian MacRae said: "Andy was full of enthusiasm and was a great pleasure to work with.

“He always brought his work ethic to his game. When he was away from the sport he was always happy to stop and speak and will be sorely missed."


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