A Perth businessman said he was “devastated” to hear of the fire at the New County Hotel in which three people died.
Emergency services were called to the hotel on County Place shortly after 5am on Monday.
Firefighters, police, and ambulance crews including the Tayside trauma team were dispatched to the scene.
Three people, understood to be two women and a man, died along with a dog.
Praveen Kumar, who runs Indian restaurant Tabla on South Street, said he woke this morning to news of the blaze at the nearby hotel.
His restaurant was hit by a fire in 2016 – though nobody was injured.
“We had a fire at Tabla – and the memories came rushing back when I heard the news this morning, but it was nothing like this,” he said.
“This is 100 times worse. It is so sad and such a shock.
“Our thoughts are with everyone, but especially the families.
“It is an awful time for this to happen, just after Christmas and at the start of the new year.”
‘Heartfelt condolences’
Meanwhile Stephen Leckie, president of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said the fire was devastating for the whole Perthshire community.
Mr Leckie said: “We are very sorry to hear of the New County Hotel fire, in particular the families and friends of the people who died.
“To them we offer our heartfelt condolences.
“Any type of incident like this is extremely harrowing for the staff, management and customers in the business.”
Mr Leckie, who runs Crieff Hydro, praised emergency services for their response to the tragedy.
Perth hotel fire is ‘devastating’
Vicki Unite, chief executive of Perthshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is devastating news.
“When there is loss of life anywhere it is always hard to accept, but when it is in the heart of our community we feel it more acutely.
“The effect on our business community and the hospitality industry will be palpable.
“But the immeasurably more important fact is people have died and we send our condolences out to their loved ones.
“In the coming days and weeks we will become more aware of the circumstances of this tragedy.
“For now we must respect the bereaved and let them grieve privately.”
Conversation