A man and two young children were treated for smoke inhalation after a blaze in a Dundee flat.
The fire erupted in the livingroom of the second-floor home on Nelson Street on Wednesday.
Neighbours were alerted by smoke alarms and the local postman, who advised them to leave the building.
The occupants of the badly-damaged flat a man and two one-year-old children were taken to shelter at a construction site across the road, where they were treated by paramedics.
Jim Smith, watch manager at Blackness fire station, said: ”The occupants of the flat, a man and two small children, were already out when we arrived.
”On arrival the flames were coming out of the window, which had smashed with the heat. There was significant fire damage and smoke damage in the livingroom area and through the property a great deal of smoke damage has occurred.”
Two firefighters in breathing apparatus went in to make sure no one was still inside and a hose reel was used to put out the fire. Two others, also in breathing apparatus, entered the building to check neighbouring flats and reassure residents.
Mr Smith added: ”We’re cutting away to find out what the affected area was and where the fire originated.”
Even after the blaze was extinguished smoke continued to pour from windows and cracks in the masonry of the building.
Neighbour Roland Obisanya (38) said: ”I heard the smoke alarm going off and when I opened my door I saw smoke in the hall so I just ran out.”