An investigation into a fatal fire that occurred at a hotel in Perth has been started by police and fire personnel.
Early on Monday morning, a fire at the New County Hotel claimed the lives of three people.
At its peak, there were nine fire appliances, 21 ambulance crews, and 60 firefighters on the scene after the alarm was raised at approximately 05:10.
Two residents of nearby apartments and hotel guests were evacuated.
Eleven people were treated at the scene by the Scottish Ambulance Service.
The fire was extinguished at about 06:30 and three bodies were discovered in a subsequent search.
A dog also died in the blaze, according to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).
Police Scotland said officers were conducting a joint investigation with the fire service.
Ch Supt Phil Davison added: “Our thoughts are very much with the families and loved ones of those who have died at what is a very difficult time for everyone.”
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Police confirmed that three people died at the scene of the fire.
Jason Sharp, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service area commander for Perth, Kinross, Angus and Dundee, described it as a “very complex incident”.
“Our firefighters worked extremely hard in a very complex and challenging environment to prevent the further spread of fire and damage where possible,” he said on Monday afternoon.
“At its height, we had nine fire appliances in attendance with over 60 firefighters.
“We’re currently still in attendance to make sure the scene is safe. I would like to thank our crews and our other emergency partners and local authority for their support.”
Residents of the city center street spoke of a sense of shock that such a tragedy could have happened on the second day of the new year.
“We were wakened at 05:00 when the alarms went off and the lights were flashing in my room,” one resident told BBC Scotland.
“Obviously as we were watching it unfold, police incident units were arriving.” The fire brigade and 21 ambulances were outside.
“It was pretty horrendous to watch. It was frightening. When I saw the private ambulance, I knew it only meant one thing. Then I realized it was major.”
Deputy First Minister John Swinney, who is the local MSP, paid tribute to the work of the emergency services.
“The news of the major fire at the New County Hotel in Perth and the loss of life that has been associated with that has been an absolutely tragic start to 2023 in the city of Perth,” he said.
“I extend my deepest sympathies to everybody who has been involved in this tragedy and affected by this tragedy.
“There has been a huge effort by the emergency services to try to avoid the loss of life and address the very serious fire that has emerged, and a whole host of support work has been put in place to assist those who have been affected, and I’m grateful to everybody for their efforts in these very sad circumstances.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon described it as a “sad and shocking incident”.
In a post on Twitter, she added: “My deepest condolences are with the bereaved and my thoughts are with all those involved.
“I am also hugely grateful to the firefighters who responded and to our other emergency services.”