Fire crews with specialist equipment were called in to help contain a chemical leak in an incident off the A9 in Inverness this morning.
Police closed off the slip road at Sir Walter Scott Drive after emergency services were called to the scene just before 7am.
A container was seen lying on the road at the Beechwood Business Park.
Antony Gardner, group manager of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), said his crews were mobilised after receiving reports the container was leaking.
He said: “Three appliances from Inverness, one appliance from Nairn and a specialist environmental protection unit from Inverness attended the incident.
“On arrival the incident commander was faced with a leaking IBC chemical container – 1000 litre capacity.
“He immediately gathered information regarding the chemical involved, which proved problematic due to the container not being placarded correctly, and took direction from a specialist hazmat officer and a local scientific advisor.
“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and chemical suits were committed to contain the chemical leak and prevent harm to the environment.”
Mr Gardner added that DIM (Detection, Identifying and Monitoring) units based in Edinburgh were on standing prior to the identification of the chemical.
The SFRS crews isolated and contained the leak and prevented the chemical from contaminating water courses.
A spokesman added: “Following operational protocols and working in partnership with Police Scotland, local scientific advisor and local hazmat officer, the identity of the leaking product was confirmed as non hazardous.
“The control of the area was then to passed via Police Scotland and to the local authority for clean up and all SFRS appliances had left the scene by 11:37am.”
Police said the road, across from the Brewers Fayre Inshes Gate bar and restaurant, was closed as a precautionary measure.
Witnesses said a lorry appeared to have shed its load.
Police announced that the road reopened fully to traffic shortly before 1pm.