Police are investigating a fire on a Highland estate who broke out just a few yards from a woodland cottage that was gutted in a fatal blaze in January.
The latest fire, which destroyed a caravan, workshop and log store, was reported to the estate’s visitor centre by two passing cyclists shortly before 8.30am on Saturday.
It is understood the properties, close to Loch an Eilein at Rothiemurchus, near Aviemore, were unoccupied at the time.
Last night police said they were keen to hear from the pair and anyone else who may have information which could assist with their investigation.
A spokesman for the fire service said: “We got the call at 8.51am to an unoccupied caravan in the Loch an Eilein area.
“Crews from Aviemore and Kingussie attended, the first arriving at 9.06am.
“The buildings were completely destroyed. The crews used hose reel jets.”
Mrs Grant said: “We can’t comment because there’s an ongoing police investigation.”
Former forester Willie Lorimer, who was in his 80s, died in January’s blaze at his adjacent woodland cottage.
He had grown up in the area and returned there after retiring.
Inquiries are continuing into the tragedy.
January’s fire is believed to have started in a bedroom.
Mr Lorimer, who was considered “part of Rothiemurchus” by the estate’s owners Johnnie and Philippa Grant, was found dead when firefighters entered the building.
On that occasion walkers – one of them an off-duty firefighter – raised the alarm.
In August, a 250-year-old Scots Pine beside nearby Lochan Mor on the estate was destroyed by a fire started by campers.
They had chopped down two birch trees to make an open fire beneath the branches of the old pine which caught light, despite torrential overnight rain.
On that occasion, quick action by forest rangers working nearby prevented the blaze from becoming a potentially disastrous wildfire.
Anyone with information about Saturday’s fire should call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
