Ice Factor Kinlochleven sauna fire 'accidental'

The structure of the 119-year-old building survived the fire

Firefighters have concluded that a blaze at the National Ice Climbing Centre was accidental, the site's operators have said.

A fire broke out in the sauna at Ice Factor Kinlochleven last week.

The £3.5m centre, described as the world's largest indoor ice climbing facility, could be shut until the end of August.

Its operators said the cost of the repairs could possibly run to hundreds of thousand of pounds.

The failure of an element within the sauna area of the building in Kinlochleven caused the fire, said the operators.

Nobody was hurt in the incident and the structure of the 119-year-old former Victorian smelter survived.

Repairs following the fire could run to hundreds of thousands of pounds

Jamie Smith, owner of the facility, said "Despite a massive team effort to try and get at least part of Ice Factor operational just days after the fire, it is now clear that extensive smoke damage, including to the ice climbing walls means we must remain closed for at least the next four weeks.

"Until the fire last Wednesday afternoon, Ice Factor was on course for a record year having already welcomed over 162,000 visitors of all ages and ability who come from all over the UK and abroad to experience and enjoy ice climbing, rock climbing and the aerial adventure course.

"Unfortunately, the damage incurred means that all 125 climbing routes must be stripped down and replaced."

The company also operates the Snow Factor attraction in Braehead on the outskirts of Glasgow.