A police vehicle caught fire on Friars Bridge in Inverness on Saturday morning, forcing a full closure of the crossing and disrupting traffic on one of the city’s main routes. Authorities say emergency crews are on scene and motorists should plan alternative journeys while the vehicle is recovered.
What happened
The blaze began at about 8:35am on Saturday, 27 June 2026, on Friars Bridge — part of the A82 — when a police car was seen alight midway across the span. Witness video and photographs from the scene show flames and a large plume of smoke rising from the vehicle.
Two marked police vehicles were positioned at each end of the bridge and officers kept people and traffic at a distance while fire crews attended. Police Scotland confirmed there were no reported injuries.
Eyewitness account
A local shopper described how staff from a nearby supermarket ran to help and briefly held back other vehicles. They attempted to tackle the flames with extinguishers, but the fire had already taken hold by the time crews arrived.
Emergency responders secured the area and started the process of removing the damaged vehicle; the closure remains in place while recovery work continues.
Why this matters now
Friars Bridge links the city centre with the A9 via the Kessock Bridge and is a primary route out of Inverness to the south-west. The closure is therefore likely to cause delays for commuters and longer-distance drivers until the scene is cleared.
- Time: Around 8:35am, Saturday 27 June 2026
- Location: Friars Bridge, Inverness (A82)
- Impact: Bridge closed; traffic held at both ends
- Injuries: None reported
- Advice: Avoid the area and use alternate routes
Police Scotland urged road users to steer clear of the bridge and follow instructions from officers at the scene. Motorists heading north or south from Inverness should expect delays and consider detours until the bridge reopens.
The incident remains under review; further updates will be provided as recovery and any necessary investigations progress.
Hi, I’m Benjamin, a member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a passion for writing and a deep interest in current affairs, I thoroughly enjoy bringing you the latest news and trends that affect our daily lives.
