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Health centre fire “not suspicous” say fire brigade

The Cill Chuimein medical centre in Fort Augustus was destroyed by fire
The Cill Chuimein medical centre in Fort Augustus was destroyed by fire

A fire which destroyed a Highland health centre is not thought to have been started deliberately.

Staff and NHS Highland officials began picking up the pieces yesterday after the fire which devastated the Cill Chuimein medical practice in Fort Augustus on Sunday.

A spokeswoman for the health board said that the building had suffered “extensive damage” and remains unable to open.

All appointments were cancelled yesterday and anybody turning up at the surgery was redirected to the Church of Scotland manse in Fort Augustus to speak to members of staff.

Calls to the clinic’s regular number were also being diverted to the practice staff, while out of hours services were being handled as normal from Fort William.

The health board spokeswoman said alternative options for the surgery were being explored and a further update would be made when this is decided upon.

Meanwhile the fire service, who were at the scene for seven hours on Sunday tackling the blaze, confirmed that the fire was not thought to be suspicious.

Specialist fire investigators are still to attend the scene and a full investigation will be carried out.

Firefighters from Fort Augustus, Foyers and Drumnadrochit were called to the incident at the practice at 11.50am on Sunday.

A spokesman for the service said the fire was “well developed” on arrival which had spread into the roof of the building.

The crews initially entered the building wearing breathing apparatus to tackle the fire, but the heat forced them outside the blaze was dealt with from the outside.

At the height of the fire three main jets were used and the specialist height vehicle from Inverness 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.”