THIS is the scene of devastation that faced a Moray couple when they returned to their house after it was ravaged by fire.
The quaint roadside cottage has been George and Lorna Stephen’s home for three decades.
The top floor has been destroyed almost completely – left open to the elements and scarred by flames.
The carpets are a discoloured black and covered with sludge.
Downstairs, the floor squelches under their feet because of the hundreds of gallons of water firefighters pumped into their property to douse the blaze. The wallpaper hangs down in folds.
As they walked around what remains of their 120-year-old home, the couple said their only consolation was the kindness shown by their neighbours at Mulben, near Keith, who have rallied to help them.
The chimney of their home caught fire on Thursday afternoon.
Blustery winds then fanned the blaze, causing it to spread rapidly along the length of the roof.
Mr Stephen, 67, said: “Folk have constantly been coming to the gate to ask how we both are and to see what they can do to help us. We’ve even had offers to stay round at people’s houses.
“We’ve lived here so many years and have so many friends.
“It’s at a time like this when you find out how good people are. It really means a lot to us.”
The couple have lost scores of personal possessions built up over many years.
But some of their clothes, which were stored in a bedroom cupboard, were somehow left undamaged.
Mrs Stephen has since used a neighbour’s washing machine to remove the acrid smell of smoke from them.
A glass-fronted wooden display case on the landing containing many ornaments was also largely untouched.
The couple initially stayed with their son Stuart, a distillery worker, who lives locally.
However, they are now moving into a caravan owned by him that they will park in their drive.
Mr Stephen, a retired council worker, said: “We dare not leave the house unsupervised in case someone comes along from outside the area and steals things.
“Hopefully, it won’t take too long for the insurance people to sort everything out.
“After all, we’ve been paying our dues for the past 40 years and have never claimed for anything.”
Mr Stephen realised the house was on fire shortly after 3pm on Thursday.
He had just come in from the back garden when he noticed a van driver pull up sharply outside and wind down the vehicle’s window.
When he went into the front yard to investigate, he saw his roof was on fire.
Mr Stephen said: “I’m really sad to say this, but I think the best thing now would be for a big digger to come along and knock the whole place down. Then we could start again and build another home.”