An elderly man is feared dead after his remote Highland home was destroyed in a devastating fire.
Emergency services were scrambled to the croft at Scarfskerry after neighbours spotted flames leaping from the building.
Police and fire officers yesterday began an investigation into the cause of the blaze.
Local police confirmed last night that it “appeared” that the occupant of the house was within the property when the fire broke out.
The occupant has not been named but is understood to be in his 90s and lived alone on the croft, which sits outside the remote hamlet between Dunnet and John O’Groats.
The alarm was raised by Scarfskerry resident Hilda Morrison at about 8pm on Wednesday when she was visiting her granddaughter who lives near the croft.
She spotted the flames when she went out to check on her horses which appeared “stressed”.
She said: “I’ve been so upset today. I just keep thinking that if someone had gone out sooner then we might have been able to do something to help.
“I’m just hoping against hope that he wasn’t at home.”
She described the occupant as a “lovely man” and “very independent”.
Police and the fire officers were initially unable to say whether anybody was within the property.
But yesterday afternoon Inspector Nick Clasper confirmed that the force fears the worst after making inquiries within the local community and next of kin.
He said: “Unfortunately, as a result of our extensive inquiries today, it would appear that the occupant was within the property at the time of the fire.
“Due to the extensive structural damage and uncertainty of the building, gaining access to the property will take some considerable time. Structural engineers will advise when it will be safe to enter the property.
“Inquiries into the cause of the fire are continuing with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to establish the full circumstances, however at this stage there does not appear to be any suspicious circumstances.
“Our thoughts at this difficult time are with the family and friends of those involved.”
The house was badly damaged as a result of the fire, with photographs from the scene showing flames leaping high into the air as firefighters worked to contain it.
The walls remained standing yesterday but the roof has collapsed and the inside of the house has been completely destroyed.
Landward Caithness councillor and former senior police officer Matthew Reiss said: “I was phoned by the police in Thurso at about lunchtime and they told me there had been a serious house fire at Scarfskerry.
“I understand there has been extensive damage to the property.
“Normally police and the fire service will require to take advice from a structural engineer to ascertain whether the building is safe to enter.
“My obvious worry is that the person who lives in the property was there at the time.
“I am sure the police will be doing their utmost to establish what has happened.”
Fellow ward councillor Willie Mackay added: “I did not know the gentleman well at all but my understanding is he kept himself very much to himself.
“It is a terrible thing to happen, especially at this time of year.”
