Calls for action on 'heartbreaking' burnt out Nairn flats

A Nairn resident feels flats ravaged by a blaze more than two years ago are now a "blight" on the town and must be demolished.

The devastating fire in June 2023 ripped through properties on the town's Harbour Street and remain fenced off.

While there were no injuries, eight flats were destroyed and to date no long term solution has been found.

This has prompted James Main to start a petition urging Highland Council to demolish the fire hit building, which would allow people to "move on."

At the time of writing, the petition now has more than 700 signatures.

"It's a blight on what was a very picturesque harbour"

James, 33, explained how the consequences of 2023 fire are still felt today.

He said: "My bedroom window looks out onto the car park, where you see the building. 

"So of course every morning when I pull my curtains open, that's what I'm faced with. 

"It's a building site, the building is crumbling and there are bits falling down. 

"Every now and again you hear bits of it fall off. 

"In the storm we had a couple of weeks ago, one of the gable ends of one of the buildings fell in and made an almighty great noise.

"There are plants and weeds growing out of what was once someone's front room now. 

"It's heartbreaking to look at and it's a blight on what was a very picturesque harbour."

James also outlined how demolishing the flats would allow those affected to "move on" from the situation.

He added: "If at the very least the building can be demolished and something happens with the site then hopefully everybody can just move on with the rest of their lives. 

"Everybody has been stuck in limbo."

Local Authority response

Highland Council have highlighted how the affected properties on Harbour Street are privately owned.

A spokesperson said: "Highland Council's involvement by Building Control in the immediate aftermath of the fire focussed on the installation of Heras fencing around the perimeter of the site to keep the public safe and to prevent the risk of falling masonry.

"Since then, Building Standards have been monitoring the site to ensure it remains secure and carry out any emergency repairs if the structure’s condition deteriorates causing a risk to the public.

"The Highland Council has a petitions procedure - details of which and how to petition the Council are published on our website at this link."