Fire crews discover smoke-filled basement at Inverness Sheriff Court

Inverness Sheriff Court has been paralysed by a fire.

Firefighters were called to an alarm activation at Inverness Castle, where the court is housed, this morning and discovered a smoke-filled basement.

Two crews from the city went to the main building following the call at 6.50am and two firemen wearing breathing apparatus entered.

One hose reel jet and a thermal imaging camera were used.

A fire service spokesman said that an electrical fault was the most likely cause of the fire and that it is not being treated as suspicious.

Firefighters had dampened down the flames by about 9am but a sign at the entrance to the main building says that it will remain closed until noon.