An investigation has been launched after a young mum died in an Aberdeen flat fire.
Firefighters were called to Shapinsay Square, in the city’s Sheddocksley area, on Monday night but could not save the 39-year-old inside.
Yesterday, neighbours named her as Victoria Eighteen, also known as Fallon, and said it was a tragedy.
One described seeing “a street full of cars” as emergency services rushed to the scene at about 9pm.
Others who live in the next street over said they could see the flashing lights of police cars and fire engines from their windows as firefighters battled for 90 minutes to extinguish the flames.
A fire service spokesman said: “Operations control immediately mobilised three appliances and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the flames.
“Sadly, and despite the best efforts of emergency services, a woman aged 39 died as a result.”
A police spokeswoman added: “While inquiries are at an early stage and ongoing at present, the death is being treated as unexplained and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal in due course.”
Officers stood guard outside the block overnight, while the windows to the flat were left open to allow it to air, revealing the blackened, smoke-damaged interior.
Police tape was strung up blocking a path running between the block of flats and neighbouring houses as detectives began their investigation into the cause of the fire.
Officers wearing white forensics suits and face masks could be seen at one of the front windows of the flat, while flashes from a camera were also spotted.
Ms Eighteen grew up in Reading and moved to Aberdeen 10 years ago.
She graduated from Cardiff University in 1999 with an undergraduate degree in business marketing and tourism.
Most recently, she was working as an administrative assistant at NHS Grampian.
Many of her neighbours described her as pleasant and “nice to talk to”, but said she often “kept to herself”.
One said: “I didn’t know her too well but I knew she was a mum so it’s a real shame.
“It’s a tragedy.”
