Overheating electrical cables have been blamed for an incident at Inverness Castle which forced the closure of the city’s court yesterday morning.
Firefighters found smoke coming from the basement of the building after an automatic alarm was triggered.
A fire service spokesman said: “Firefighters in breathing apparatus and carrying a hose reel jet entered the basement and located the source of the smoke, which was overheating electrical cables. Crews then spent time ventilating the building.
“They also used a thermal imaging camera to check for any signs of fire.”
No one was injured.
The incident meant that the building was left without power until SSE engineers restored supplies at midday.
It is understood that some of the court’s computer systems are kept in the basement however the Scottish Court Service said there was no damage to their equipment.
The front door of the courthouse was taped off yesterday morning, with a sign stuck to the door saying it was closed until noon.
Members of the public arriving for criminal and civil court business were turned away by security staff.
However the court was able to open in the afternoon.
