A former Dundee care home severely damaged by a suspicious fire is facing demolition.
Douglas House in Balunie Drive was ablaze in the early hours of Monday in circumstances that police and the fire service are investigating.
More than 30 firefighters were called to deal with the drama and fought for about three hours to tackle the flames.
They were forced to cut through the roof of the former care home and used axes and hooks to pull down ceilings.
Police, firefighters and scenes of crime officers were carrying out investigations at the scene of the outbreak, which is thought to have been started deliberately.
Fire Scotland station manager Scott Symon said: “We got a call around 12.30am this morning (Monday) to a report of smoke in the area of the skate park.
“Crews realised it was a fire within the derelict Douglas House care home, and it was quickly discovered it was a fairly well-developed fire within one of the wings of the building.
“There was smoke coming from various parts of the building like the eaves and the roof space.”
Six appliances and 31 personnel attended, and an aerial appliance was used as a viewing platform for the firefighters.
Mr Scott said: “Our concern wasn’t for any monetary damage, but to stop the whole building becoming involved we focused our efforts on making sure it wasn’t going to break into any other areas.”
He added: “It is most likely to have been anti-social in nature with people gaining access and starting a fire. Our best guess is that it is probably deliberate.”
The fire was put out by about 3.10am, but firefighters remained on scene searching for hot spots within the building.
Ron Tennant, of Balunie Place, said: “I saw a load of fire engines this morning and wondered what was happening. I would like to see it all redone, it is a good place so I’m sure something could be done with it.”
Douglas House was built as a care home for the elderly and was closed in 2001 as needs and demands in the care sector changed.
It was later used as social work staff offices but in 2009 the director of social work advised that the premises were no longer required for that purpose.
The economic development committee remitted the matter to the director for its disposal.
A Dundee City Council spokesman said: “A report on the demolition of the building will be considered by committee in due course.”