MORE THAN 70 firefighters were needed to control a fire in the old Craig Dunain Hospital in Inverness on Saturday.

The fire broke out shortly before 4am and took almost six hours to bring under control.

After reports from a security firm, police secured the area for the firefighters, who came from as far afield as Beauly, Dingwall and Drumnadrochit.

There were no reports of anyone injured.

Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service used six fire engines, the aerial platform, a water bowser and their mobile command unit.

The former stone-built mental hospital was built in Victorian times and dominated the skyline above the city, but had been empty for several years.

After the New Craigs Hospital was built, Robertson Group started to build new homes on the land and was engaged on a multi- million pound project in the old hospital building to provide flats with a superb view.

Now, however, the central part of the imposing building, which is grade 3A listed, has been gutted by the fire.

Fire incident commander John Donaldson said, “This is one of the biggest building fires in the Highlands for a number of years.”

Mr Donaldson added, “To our knowledge, there was no one in the premises at the time and security was in place.

“Ensuring that no one was in the building will be part of the investigation into the cause of the fire.”

Police incident officer Inspector Colin Gough said, “We brought in officers to control access to the area. Although the building is believed to have been empty police dog handlers were tasked to search the woods around as a precaution.”

A police spokesman said, “It may be some days before investigators can gain access. The cause of the fire is therefore at this stage undetermined.”

Police have urged anyone who saw people or vehicles in the area to call them on 715555 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.