Dozens of firefighters battled to stop a blaze which devastated a house in a north-east village.
Five appliances were sent to Bogie Road in Rhynie, near Huntly, after flames spread through a home at about 4.30am yesterday.
Nearly 25 firefighters from Insch, Huntly, Alford and Aberdeen were needed at the scene, as well as a specialist incident unit from Peterhead.
Nobody was in the property at the time and no neighbouring properties had to be evacuated.
The searing heat of the flames within the house caused windows to smash while the interior of the home was left charred and blackened.
Meanwhile a large section of the roof of the property was severely damaged where the fire had burst through the slates.
Crews spent nearly two hours fighting to get the flames under control before it was extinguished shortly after 6.40am.
However they continued to dampen down using an aerial unit.
Later that day, the service went back to check on the property.
Police and the fire service have now launched an investigation into the circumstances which led to the blaze.
Yesterday afternoon the property remained taped off while they carried out inquiries however the force said it was too early to say what had caused the fire.
Councillor Moira Ingleby – Huntly, Strathbogie and Howe of Alford ward – said it was “devastating” for everyone involved.
She said: “I’m very saddened to hear about this incident, however I’m glad no one was injured.
“Obviously, fires are absolutely devastating but the main thing is that there were no lives lost.
“If it was an accident it’s most unfortunate for everyone but if there was an indication that it was intentional I hope the police are given all the help they need to bring the perpetrators to justice.”
