Emergency services flocked to Dornoch in their droves after an explosion-like sound was reported on the town’s Castle Street.
The incident occurred around 2.35pm, with a member of the public calling the fire service after hearing a detonation from within the inside of Alex’s Chinese Takeaway.
Two fire crews were sent to the scene in the belief a serious fire may have taken hold, alongside police and ambulance personnel.
It later transpired that the loud bang was due to a man drilling through electrical cables within the catering establishment, shocking himself in the process.
The man is understood to have suffered electrical burns to his arms, with a police spokesman confirmed last night that his injuries, while serious, were not life-threatening.
A fire service spokeswoman said: “We received a call at 2.34pm to an explosion at a Chinese restaurant in Dornoch.
“Crews from Dornoch and Golspie were sent initially to deal with what was believed to be a dwelling fire, but we soon established that a man working in the premise had drilled through electrical cables and had shocked himself.
“The man sustained electrical burns to his arms and was taken to Raigmore Hospital for further treatment.
“We tasked the Hydro service to come and isolate the power supply, before handing the incident over to police.”
The takeaway restaurant closed its doors towards the end of March after its owners decided to shut up shop after 16 years.
It is understood renovations have been underway inside the building in recent weeks.