Workers at a Torry fish firm had to be evacuated after becoming trapped in the building when a blaze broke out.
Staff at J Law fish wholesaler even used a forklift to tear an opening in the window as the warehouse filled up with thick black smoke.
Fire crews rushed to the scene in Sinclair Road this morning after an e-scooter went up in flames.
The scooters, which are used to transport workers to and from the warehouse, caught fire while charging around 9am.
The resulting blaze ripped through the upper floors of the business which left a number of staff unable to escape.
The forklift was used to create an opening for staff to escape if they needed to.
Fortunately, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service responded within 5 minutes to put out the source of the fire and guide those trapped to safety.
Staff could be seen waiting outside in the aftermath of fire, as investigators from the service ran the rule over the damage.
Owner tells of horror fire which ripped through family business
Co-owners of the fishmongers Christopher and John Law, speaking to the Press and Journal afterwards, told of the heart in mouth moment they realised their colleagues had been trapped inside by the blaze.
After they were unable to to guide their colleagues out to safety, they said they were just relieved that everyone was unscathed in the end.
Christopher, 35, said: “The smoke was just that thick, we couldn’t even get back up the stairs.
“The fire service were here really quick, they were here in about five minutes.
“It was a good thing because there were five people still stuck up there, that’s why the upstairs window was all bashed in.
“We had to bash it in with the forklift just in case they needed to jump out, because they couldn’t get out.
“I heard them banging on the door so I tried to go up and help them but you could not see an inch in front of yourself, it was that thick.
“The fire brigade eventually managed to put the fire out and they were able to walk them out the fire exit with masks on.
“It was really scary stuff but luckily everyone was out okay – that’s the main thing.
John, 42, was also anxious to go back inside to assess the damage to the family-owned business.
“The damage is contained to just the one bit upstairs.
“My office in the next room has a fire door so it’s pretty okay thankfully.
“We can’t get in to check the extent of the damage to stock or anything like that, so we will just need to wait and see.
“Once the fire service are away we can get it and start work on clearing the place back up.”
Neighbours concern over e-scooter fire
One worker from the garage next door said: “Their office next door, they’ve got electric scooters upstairs.
“It looks like some sort of electric fire but obviously the investigators still need to finish doing their jobs.
“They charge them up to go to and from work, I think it’s just short-circuited out from there.
“When they started putting it out all you could smell was the smoke, but luckily it looks like no-one was hurt.”
“Everyone is okay and that is the main thing.”
Emergency services respond
The fire service say it was reported just after 2pm on Tuesday, April 16, with crews dispatched to the scene.
Three appliances were sent by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to a commercial premises on Sinclair Road.
According to a spokesperson for the Scottish Ambulance Service, two ambulances and three special operations response teams were also sent to the scene, however, no one required treatment.
Police confirmed staff had been safely evacuated.
A police spokesperson said: “Around 9.25am on Tuesday, 16 April, 2024, police were called to a report of a fire at a commercial premises in Sinclair Road, Aberdeen.
“Emergency services attended and staff were safely evacuated.”
