Firefighters have extinguished a fire at a house in Inverness more than six hours after being called to the scene.
Nobody was injured in the blaze on St Valery Avenue, which was put out by 12:45pm.
Five fire appliances were sent to the residential street just before 6am.
Shocked neighbours were evacuated from their homes and their power disconnected as crews battled flames using a height vehicle and water carrier.
They watched in disbelief as firefighters poured water into an upper-floor window while white smoke billowed from the terraced home.
Neighbour Shannon Stewart, 28, recalled being woken at around 6.15am.
She said: “My door was getting banged and then my phone went because I can sleep through anything and my neighbour was like ‘You need to move your car’, and then I saw the fire brigade and thought ‘My car is on fire!’.
“But then I saw the flames coming out the window from the upstairs. It was frightening.
“I was kinda shaking and my car was frozen, I couldn’t see so my neighbour jumped in and parked the car safely.
“It was very frightening.”
Allan Brown, 55, was forced to evacuate his home two doors down.
He also had to take his pets out of the house for safety and leave them with a friend.
He says his house is undamaged but is concerned the home next door may have suffered some damage.
Neighbours describe Inverness house fire
Another eyewitness, who didn’t wish to be named, added: “I was hearing racket which is normal, so I didn’t think anything of it and then I started smelling the burning.
“By six o’clock in the morning the flames coming out the window and there was smoke everywhere, that was pretty much it.”
Daniel Kriegk, 76, who was staying with his daughter on the street for the holidays, described the fire as “very impressive” and said he hopes there are no casualties.
A police spokesman said: “Power has been restored to properties on St Valery Avenue and Bruce Gardens in Inverness as emergency services continue to deal with a house fire in the area.
“No one has been injured in the incident and emergency services remain at the scene.”
A fireman at the scene said: “We don’t know the cause of the fire.
“An investigation will need to be opened. I don’t think the properties next door have been damaged.”
A fire spokesman said: “We were alerted at 5.57am on Thursday, 4 January to reports of a dwelling fire in Inverness.
“Operations Control mobilised five fire appliances to the city’s St Valery Avenue, where firefighters extinguished the fire and worked to make the area safe before leaving the scene.
“One casualty was treated at the scene by Scottish Ambulance Service personnel but did not require to be taken to hospital.”
A Highland Council spokeswoman confirmed that a council owned house was damaged by fire.
“Council officers are assisting the household with alternative accommodation until the extent of damage can be assessed and repairs completed,” she said.
