A man has died after a fire broke out in a north-east flat on Christmas Eve.
Firefighters, police and ambulance crews were called to Nellfield Place, off Holburn Street in Aberdeen, just before 8pm on Saturday after smoke was spotted billowing from a ground floor property.
A man was dragged from the burning building and taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where he later died.
An investigation into the cause of the fire got under way yesterday, with police and fire officers examining the scene. Forensic teams could also be seen sweeping the burnt out flat for clues, while police stood guard at the door.
A blackened mattress lay ruined on the front lawn of the property yesterday, with the window of the flat boarded up with wood. A strong smell of smoke still lingered in the air.
One neighbour, who said the victim was in his late 30s or early 40s, only became aware of the incident when emergency services arrived outside the block of flats.
He added when he ran outside, there was a plume of smoke coming from the window next door.
He said: “I only knew about it because of the flashing lights outside.
“He usually puts his music on and radio on at night-time. I didn’t know him at all but I used to see him walking by. I thought maybe he was away getting something for Christmas.
“A firefighter was in checking if smoke was coming through to my living room. I came out and saw it all.”
Another local woman said she had been out with her partner, and arrived home on Christmas Eve to a police cordon.
Yesterday a fire spokesman said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was called at 7.53pm on Saturday, December 24 to reports of smoke issuing from a flat in Aberdeen.
“A total of five appliances and a height vehicle were mobilised to Nellfield Place, and it was discovered that a fire had taken hold within the property.
“The fire was extinguished, a man who was within the flat at the time was removed by the emergency services and taken to
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary but sadly died in hospital, and there is no further information.”
Last night a police spokesman said: “Inquiries are ongoing, and further information will be released when available.”
