Probe into fire at Loch Choire Fishing Lodge

Police and fire investigators have launched a probe into the unexplained blaze at a Highland lodge.

Firefighters were called to The Fishing Lodge at Loch Choire in Kinbrace, Sutherland, on Friday night.

A Northern Constabulary spokeswoman said: “The building structure is currently being made safe to allow a fire investigation to take place. The fire is currently being treated as unexplained.”

Four appliances with 20 firefighters were dispatched from stations in Helmsdale, Thurso, Golspie and Dunbeath.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said accessing the lodge proved difficult, given its remote location 11 miles from the nearest road.

A spokesman said: “The first fire crews arrived to find a well-developed fire in the two-storey lodge, measuring approximately 30m by 40m.”

He added: “Firefighters pumped water from the loch to fight the fire with several main water jets. The lodge has been extensively damaged by the fire and approximately 50% of the roof structure has collapsed.”

The building was unoccupied at the time and the fire service confirmed there were no injuries.