Blaze cuts power to 20 properties

Firefighters at the scene of the early morning fire

A fire at a knitwear shop and exhibition cut power to about 20 neighbouring properties, police said.

Six fire crews were called to tackle the early morning blaze at Spean Bridge Woollen Mill in Lochaber. No-one was injured in the incident.

The building has been almost completely destroyed.

Police officers on patrol raised the alarm after spotting the fire. Traffic on the nearby A82 has been reduced to a single lane.

Engineers from Scottish and Southern Energy were working to restore power to the properties.

Northern Constabulary said 80% of the building has been destroyed by the blaze, although the two gable ends remained secure at present.

A spokesman said: "Due to the current state of the building and the presence of the fire units today, access to the site will not be possible until tomorrow, when a joint police and fire investigation will commence.

"The cause of the fire is not known and the investigation will seek to ascertain this."