City's second major blaze probed

The blaze broke out at Viewhill House

An investigation has begun into a blaze at the second listed building to catch fire in Inverness in almost a week.

Fire crews were called to the category B-listed Viewhill House on Old Edinburgh Road after the alarm was raised at 2045 BST on Thursday.

Six fire appliances and a hydraulic platform were used to bring the blaze in the four-storey unoccupied former youth hostel under control.

The disused Craig Dunain hospital was damaged by fire last Saturday.

Police said until both investigations were completed it would be "inappropriate" to comment on whether the two incidents were linked.

Viewhill House, a 170-year-old building, overlooks the city centre.

It has been empty after plans to convert it into 10 flats drew opposition and was rejected by Scottish ministers following a public inquiry.

We are disappointed to hear of the fire at this category B-listed building Aonghus MacKechnie Historic Scotland Landmarks go up in smoke

The property was given category B status in February 2001 and is one of 286 listed buildings in the city.

Historic Scotland said an "architecturally impressive" building had been damaged.

Northern Constabulary said inquiries into the cause of the blaze had started.

Officers and a number of appliances from Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service were still at the scene on Friday morning.

Architecturally impressive

Aonghus MacKechnie, principal inspector, said: "Historic Scotland has worked successfully on a number of regeneration projects to bring historic buildings back into use and we are disappointed to hear of the fire at this category B-listed building."

"Viewhill House is architecturally impressive but is also important because it was designed and lived in by Joseph Mitchell, who worked with and then succeeded Thomas Telford as the Inspector of Highland Roads and Bridges."

Northern Constabulary said inquiries into the cause of the blaze had started.

The shell of the former hostel was relatively unscathed by the fire

Officers and a number of appliances from Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service were still at the scene on Friday morning.

Meanwhile, it could be several weeks before unstable parts of Craig Dunain hospital are made safe to allow firefighters to investigate the cause of last Saturday's incident.

Forty firefighters and six appliances attended the fire at the historic site in the Leachkin area of Inverness.

The roof and floor of the central core of the building collapsed leaving the upper parts also at risk of falling.

The hospital, which has lain empty for some time, was being redeveloped.

Robertson Homes, the company developing the site, said it was devastated to learn of the damage caused.

A spokesman said the firm was working with the police and fire service.