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Investigation after blaze destroys island factory

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A probe has been launched into a fire that wrecked a £6m net cleaning factory in the Outer Hebrides.

Emergency services were first called to the incident on the island of Scalpay at around 4.30pm on Friday, but hot spots was still being dealt with 24 hours later.

Five fire appliances attended the scene after the alarm was raised. Scalpay is joined by a bridge to the Isle of Harris.

It is understood that there were no injuries in the incident, but nearby residents were evacuated after a large toxic plume of smoke was emitted for many hours.

A spokesman for Scottish Fire and Rescue service said an investigation was underway.

A plume of smoke rising through the air could be seen for miles as the fire caught hold at the net washing station near to the island side of the bridge.

The roof was reportedly threatening to cave in. Fire crews had to stand well back upwind and used high pressure jets to spray water on the burning building.

Fire crews from Scalpay, Tarbert and Leverburgh were first on scene. Two fire engines also arrived from Stornoway.

The factory is operated by Net Services Scotland which is Norwegian owned and employed 14 people.

The fierce heat buckled and twisted the 100ft x 65ft metal building, causing its upper level and roof to cave in and collapse in parts.

The facility  cleans, repairs and applies anti-fouling treatment to giant nets used to cover salmon farm cages.

The new washing facility opened in 2008. Previously, it was run as a salmon processing factory but 60 people lost their jobs when it closed 2005 after operator, Stolt, was taken over by Marine Harvest.

Tarbert, Scalpay and South Lochs coastguard rescue team helped evacuate nearby residents.

Workers were all off the premises when the blaze was reported.

The firm said it is looking at “various options” to set up a temporary base to continue its net cleaning operations. This includes potential sites on the island and Stornoway.