BOSSES at the destroyed Taynuilt Inn have vowed to rebuild after a fire ripped through the hotel.
Emergency crews spent most of yesterday tackling an “extensive fire” at the popular hotel, on the A85, near Oban.
Three fire engines were sent to the scene in Argyll and Bute at about 5am on Tuesday as thick smoke billowed from the property and flames shot through the badly damaged roof.
Now, after the complete destruction of the village establishment, businessman and partner at the inn Calum MacLachlain has said a rebuild will come as soon as possible.
Mr Maclachlainn said the building, which was still well ablaze hours after the fire started, had been totally destroyed and said: “It’s gone, but we will rebuild it.”
Everyone who was in the hotel managed to escape safely in the early hours of the morning as they heard the smoke alarms.
The hotel only just re-opened its doors in April after being renovated and was shut last year due to the pandemic.
Mr MacLachlain added: “Nobody knows what happened, but the main thing is that they are all fine.
“They were all asleep, they heard the fire alarm, smelt smoke and got out.
“Renovations were completed in 2019 but we have never had a full year’s trading because we closed through the lockdowns because of the restrictions.
“We didn’t open through the summer last year, then we opened permanently in April, and it’s been going very well and has been very well received by the locals.”
Lesley and Jordan Foster - the couple who ran the hotel - have been left with nothing but the “clothes on their back” after the blaze destroyed their home and hotel.
A fundraiser to help the Fosters has been started on Gofundme and it has already raised more than £14,000 to provide some relief for the family and their dog.
The Gofundme page reads: “After a fire ravaged Lesley and Jordan’s business and home in the early hours of the 21st of September they’ve been left with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
“They and their team worked tirelessly to reopen the Taynuilt Inn and it’s been fantastic asset and hub to the community.
“They’ve left this morning with nothing and if anyone could donate to help them get clothes food and things for the dog till they get sorted.”
The A85 was closed for nearly all of yesterday causing disruption but opened again late last night.
Traffic Scotland reported: “The A85 has reopened under temporary traffic lights following an earlier building fire between Taynuilt and Connel. Traffic is sluggish in the area, so expect slight delays.”
You can view the GoFundMe page here.
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