Emergency services have rushed to an evacuated shopping centre in Inverness after a freight train gas leak.
All railway lines have been closed in the city and parts of the city centre, including Eastgate shopping centre, have been cleared as a precaution.
The public are asked to avoid the Millburn Road and Academy Street areas while the incident continues.
Police and firefighters were called to the train depot at Inverness, which is next to Inverness Station, shortly before 10am.
Network Rail said it is ‘working with the emergency services’ to deal with the incident.
Parts of Inverness city centre have been evacuated as a precaution (stock image)
According to National Rail, disruption is expected until at least 4pm, with trains expected to be delayed or cancelled entirely.
Ticket acceptance is in place with Stagecoach North Scotland Buses and Scottish Citylink services between Inverness, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.
The gas leak occurred ‘near the railway at Inverness’, National Rail said.
A nearby Morrisons supermarket has also been evacuated.
Phil Campbell, ScotRail Customer Operations Director, said: ‘We are sorry to customers who have experienced disruption to their journey today.
‘Anyone delayed by 30 minutes or more is entitled to compensation through our Delay Repay Guarantee.
‘Just keep hold of your tickets and claim on the ScotRail website or mobile app.’
A spokesperson for the British Transport Police said: ‘We were called to the line near Inverness railway station at 9.49am today to reports of a gas leak on board a freight train.
‘Officers are currently in attendance alongside the fire service and Police Scotland. There are no reported injuries and precautionary cordon has been put in place.’
Gas firm SGN confirmed online the train involved is carrying gas tanks belonging to the firm.
A statement from the firm said: ‘We’re responding to a gas escape involving a train carrying tanks which supply our network. We’re working with Police Scotland and Scottish Rail to resolve the incident as quickly as possible.
‘ScotRail services in and out of Inverness station have been cancelled until further notice.’
A Network Rail spokesperson said: ‘A freight train was found to be leaking gas from one of its tanks at Inverness Millburn depot this morning.
‘There are no reports of injuries or damage to the train but the depot and surrounding areas have been evacuated as a precaution and we are working with the emergency services who are dealing with the leak. The Highland Mainline between Inverness and Aviemore is currently closed until it’s safe to re-open.’
Rail replacement buses are in operation.
This is a breaking news story and is being updated.