The industrial facility, located in Dalcross, near Inverness Airport, is used for the production of particle board and plyboard. It is known by the locals as the “cloud factory” because it normally produces a significant amount of water vapor. It is the former Norbord factory, which is now part of the Canadian forestry company West Fraser Timber.
A local resident, 24, from neighboring Nairn told Express.co.uk: “I find it absolutely devastating. It’s a popular place.
“It has been known for generations as the ‘cloud factory’ because many people see it every day on their way to work, on the train, on the road or on a plane.
“It also creates a lot of jobs. I’m concerned about what this means for the local community.”
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The cause of the fire is still unknown.
A spokesman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were alerted at 3.41pm on Thursday 7 July by reports of a fire in a commercial property chimney off the A96 near Dalcross, Inverness.
“Operations Control mobilized seven fire brigades and one high vehicle on site and about 40 firefighters are fighting a fire in the building.
“No casualties have been reported at this time and the crew are still on the scene.”