The family of a north man have been informed after a body was recovered following a croft fire in Caithness.
Emergency services were scrambled to the croft at Scarfskerry after neighbours spotted flames leaping from the building shortly before 8pm on December 28.
Extensive structural damage was caused to the building, rendering it unsafe to enter for a number of days.
Officers have now recovered the remains of a man.
Formal identification will now take place but the family of Frederick Melhert, aged 95 years, who resided alone at the address, have been updated by officers who will continue to provide support.
Enquiries into the cause of the fire are continuing with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to establish the full circumstances, however there are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Speaking the morning after the fire, Inspector Nick Clasper said: “We have been conducting extensive inquiries at the property where the fire occurred, which has been considerably damaged as a result.
“Additionally we have been making inquiries in the local community as well as with next of kin further afield to try to establish whether the occupant of the property was elsewhere at the time of the fire.
“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.”
