Huge blaze hits Spean

By Stuart Taylor

Published: 15 January, 2009

Firefighters bring the embers under control while the inferno rages. Iain Ferguson, The Write Image

AN investigation has begun into Wednesday morning's devastating fire at Spean Bridge which destroyed a landmark tourist business.

The Spean Bridge Woollen Mill, situated in the heart of the village, has been almost completely destroyed by the blaze which broke out during the early hours of Wednesday morning. Only two gable ends remain secure.

advertising

At its height, forty firefighters from six units battled the inferno. As the Lochaber News went to press, two units remained at the scene damping down the embers of the building.

A joint Northern Constabulary and Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service investigation will commence at 10am today into what caused the fire.

The devastating blaze was discovered by two police officers on routine patrol in Spean Bridge at about 2.30am on Wednesday.

Fire crews were alerted and units from Fort William, Spean Bridge, Kinlochleven, Fort Augustus and Kingussie, supported by command control from Inverness, attended.

Scottish and Southern Energy also assisted after about 20 nearby properties lost power due to the fire.

No-one was injured as a result of the fire.

But due to the presence of heavy smoke, which seriously affected visibility at and around the premises, and to allow firefighting operations to continue unhindered, the main A82 Fort William-Inverness trunk road was closed to all traffic, with diversions in place through Gairlochy.

The road reopened at 7.20am on Wednesday, with a traffic light system in place at Spean Bridge.

The Woollen Mill currently employs 22 people, a figure which rises during the high tourist season.

The centre, which includes a gift shop, café and weaving demonstration centre, is operated by the Edinburgh Woollen Mill company and is understood to be one of the country's best performing outlets.

The mill is an extremely popular stopping point for tour coaches and has played a central role in the life of the village for more than half a century.

No-one from the company was available for comment as the LN went to press yesterday afternoon.

Inspector Dougie Allan, of Northern Constabulary at Fort William, said: "The fire was spotted by two officers who were on a routine patrol at Spean Bridge.

"They saw flickering lights at first and then after turning round spotted smoke emanating from the building. A short time later the fire burst through the roof.

"At least three quarters of the building has been destroyed, although a section of the older part of the building remains standing.

"An investigation involving ourselves and the fire service will be established on Thursday into the cause of the fire. At present there is nothing to suggest any suspicious circumstances.

"I would appeal for anyone who was in the area in the late evening or early morning and who might have any information about the fire to contact Fort William police station.

"Fortunately no-one has been injured.

"It is a devastating blow to the village."

Mike White, of Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service, said: "The fire was well developed by the time we got there but we got hold of the fire quite quickly.

"We had six main jets and six crew members with breathing apparatus during the height of operations.

"The building is completely destroyed and building control officers have been carrying out examinations.

"As is usual for Lochaber, all the key agencies worked very well together during an emergency situation.

"The damping down operation is likely to go on all day today (Wednesday) and we will begin the investigation, alongside our police colleagues, on Thursday morning."

Spean Bridge community representatives and residents spoke of their shock at the loss of the Woollen Mill.

Gladys Johnston, who lives at Nursery Park, witnessed the blaze at its fiercest.

She said: "I was asleep but woke up when I heard alarms going off. I could see blue flashing lights reflecting on the bedroom window and I couldn't quite work out what was going on.

"I then looked out the window and saw the flames blazing through the gaps in the trees and saw police cars parked at the corner of the bridge and Roy Bridge junction.

"I went down to the corner and saw the absolute blazing inferno. It was so frightening to witness.

"The mill is such an important business in the village and now more than 20 people are without a job.

"It was such a busy place all the time, with coaches and tourists. The place is steeped in history, an active mill which is now no more. It's just so sad, I can't get over it."

Richard Wallis, chairman of the local community council, said: "It's a significant blow to the community because of the loss of so many jobs.

"It's been a landmark building and business for so many years. The only thing to be thankful for is that no-one was injured."

s.taylor@lochaber-news.co.uk