Probe launched as blaze devastates Highland visitor attraction
A FULL investigation into the cause of a fire which has devastated a major Highland visitor attraction has been launched.
It comes in the wake of extensive damage following a blaze at the Visitor Centre at Falls of Shin, owned by businessman Mohammed Al Fayed, who has a family home at Balnagown in Ross-shire.
The drama unfolded around 10am this morning as staff at the Sutherland attraction noticed there was a fire and instigated a full evacuation of the premises, at Falls of Shin near Lairg.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service operational control room in Inverness was contacted at 10.16am this morning with a report of the fire.
Fire appliances from Lairg, Bonar Bridge and Dornoch were mobilised to the incident.
Firefighters arrived on scene to find what the service has described as "a well-developed fire" in the ground floor and roof space of the Visitor Centre.
A further appliance from Golspie and the water bowser from Inverness were also mobilised to the incident.
The incident commander contacted the electricity company to deal with live electrical equipment while firefighters continued operations to extinguish the fire.
Work was hampered by strong variable winds. The fire spread quickly with crews unable to enter the building because of the impending danger of the roof, which collapsed during the blaze.
Firefighters also worked to stop the blaze spreading to the woodlands and outbuildings in close proximity to the Visitor Centre.
Firefighters have now brought the fire under control and remain on scene to continue to dampen the building and check for any "hot spots".
Incident Commander, group manager Ian Smith said: “Staff at the Visitor Centre did an excellent job in safely evacuating the building and calling us.
“Firefighters worked very hard under arduous conditions and are to be commended for preventing the fire spreading to the neighbouring woodlands and outbuildings.”
A joint investigation will be carried with Police Scotland over the forthcoming days to determine the cause of the fire.
The visitor centre, shop and restaurant has provided local employment and one of Sutherland's major tourist attractions.
A recent reviewer on travel site Trip Advisor wrote: "I love this place, restaurant serves great food and coffee, great scenery you can walk through the woods or take a short walk down hill to see the salmon leaping. There is an outdoor park for kids too. Overall a great day out for all ages."