Fort Augustus medical centre destroyed by fire

A DEVASTATING fire which reduced a doctor’s surgery to rubble was not suspicious say fire chiefs.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service raced to Cil Chuimein medical centre in Fort Augustus just before midday last Sunday after operations control received a call at 11.50am reporting the fire.

Appliances from Fort Augustus, Foyers, Drumnadrochit, and the height vehicle from Inverness were scrambled to the scene.

On arrival, crews were met with a well- developed fire which had spread into the roof space of the building.

Firefighters firstly entered the building wearing breathing apparatus but the heat forced them outside and they had to tackle the blaze externally. At the height of the fire three main jets were used and the height vehicle was used as a water tower.

The fire was brought under control by 3.09pm and the last appliance left the scene at 6.50pm. Station Manager Ricky Dibble, who was at the scene, said: ‘We managed to salvage some computer equipment, medical equipment and some items of sentimental value.

‘I would like to pass on our thanks to the local church group who opened the church hall to provide our crews with welfare facilities.’

Fire investigators will attend the scene in due course, but the blaze is not believed to be suspicious.