Terrified families and pensioners were among dozens of people evacuated from a popular Inverness pub yesterday after a “noxious substance” was released inside.
Emergency services rushed to the JD Wetherspoons-owned King’s Highway bar in the city centre in the afternoon.
A canister – understood to have been pepper spray – was taken away by the police after initially being removed by waiting staff at the Church Street pub.
It is believed to have been sprayed “continually” at a time when about 80 people were inside the premises, including children, pensioners and a pregnant member of staff.
Staff members described “stressful” scenes, but there were no reported injuries.
Police appealed last night for witnesses to come forward, with officers also due to study CCTV footage from inside the premises to establish what happened.
Pub manager Mark Phinn told the Press and Journal that the pepper spray can was discharged at a table in a designated family eating area, just yards from the pub’s front window, at about 1.45pm.
Mr Phinn, who has managed the King’s Highway for eight years, said: “It was discharging continually in this area of the pub.
“I was on my way in to start work and take over from the duty manager when it happened. We saw dozens of people get up and leave.
“There were about 70-80 customers, including pensioners and children. The duty manager, who was on shift at the time, is pregnant. No one has had any ill effects or requested any medical treatment.
“There were about 30 people in the immediate vicinity and among them were people with potential breathing difficulties.
“Police are treating it as a serious incident because pepper spray is classed as a firearm.
“The manager and staff at the time dealt with a stressful situation really well and carried out a full evacuation under what were stressful circumstances.
“We sounded the fire alarm to get people out and used the loudspeaker to get everyone out by the rear exits.
“In my 21 years in the pub trade I have never dealt with anything like this.”
Following the evacuation, the pub was closed for about an hour-and-a-half to allow police to speak to staff and acquire CCTV footage.
Four police vehicles – including a riot van – could be seen parked outside the premises yesterday afternoon.
Meanwhile, several groups of customers had to be turned away from the premises.
The main front windows of the pub, close to where the incident happened, were also fully opened to vent the room.
Half empty glasses and partially-cleared plates could be seen on several tables, following the swift evacuation.
Last night, a police spokeswoman said: “Police in Inverness are appealing for witnesses after a small canister containing a noxious substance was released in a licensed premises in the city centre.
“Around 2pm on Friday, June 10, police attended the King’s Highway premises on Church Street.
“Staff instructed an evacuation as a precaution. No-one was injured or harmed and the canister was recovered safely.
“An investigation into this incident is ongoing and police are appealing to anyone who was within the premises at the time or who may have information about this incident to make contact via 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111”.
A volunteer in the Caring and Sharing charity shop, opposite the King’s Highway pub, said: “Normally we don’t get unusual things like this happening, to be quite honest.
“The fact this has happened is quite astounding. You get the usual rowdiness and things but nothing like this.
“We have been here about six years and we have never had anything so dramatic happening.”
