One person has died in a house fire close to the historic Highland Perthshire village of Fortingall.
Three fire engines were sent to the scene around 7.15am on Friday after reports of a fire in one of a small cluster of cottages half a mile outside the village on the road to Glen Lyon.
When rescue services arrived at the scene, a person was found dead in the property.
One local woman, who did not want to be named, said people were “utterly shocked to hear the news”.
Neighbours are understood to have tried to rescue the occupant but were forced back by the intensity of the flames.
Firefighters remained at the scene throughout Friday working to dampen hot spots caused by the blaze.
Early inquiries have begun. Police and firefighters said they would carry out a joint investigation in due course.
Police formed a protective cordon across the access road to the Ardtrasgairt group of cottages.
The scene of the fire was still smouldering in the early hours of Friday afternoon. The roof appeared to have fallen in and a ladder could be seen lying up against one of the building’s walls.
Three teams from utilities provider SSE were also working with police and firefighters throughout Friday afternoon.
The historic village, built by shipowner and MP Sir Donald Currie when he bought the Glenlyon Estate in 1885, has distinctive thatched buildings throughout. It is not known if this was a factor in the fire.
A spokesperson from Police Scotland confirmed a person had died, but said no formal identification had taken place.
He said: “Police Scotland, along with other emergency services were called to a serious house fire at 7.15am this morning in Fortingall, near Aberfeldy.
“A person has sadly died and formal identification has not taken place.
“Inquiries are at a very early stage and a joint investigation with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will be carried out.”
Gordon Pryde, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s local senior officer for Perth and Kinross, Angus and Dundee, said: “Operations control mobilised three fires engines to Fortingall near Aberfeldy, where a fire had taken hold within a single-storey cottage.
“Sadly a person was found to have passed away within the property, and our thoughts are with those affected at this time.
“A joint investigation between SFRS and Police Scotland will be carried out in due course.”
