A pensioner has died in a fire which destroyed a Moray home last night.
The main road into Lossiemouth had to be closed for several hours yesterday after emergency services were called to the scene of a ferocious blaze.
Fire crews battled for several hours to bring the flames at the property on Elgin Road under control while thick plumes of black smoke could be seen billowing from the house.
And last night police confirmed there had been one fatality.
It is understood the victim was an 80-year-old man who had lived at the property.
Fire crews and police remained at the scene for hours last night while investigations were carried out to establish the cause of the blaze. However, police confirmed the incident is not thought to have been suspicious.
Concerned locals were seen gathering outside the property which was left with holes in the roof and shattered glass in the windows at the front of the house.
And some nearby residents said they were unaware the fire had started until they heard the sirens of the fire engines rushing to the small home.
One man said: “I didn’t know anything about it until I came round the front and saw a crowd of people gathering.”
A woman said: “The first thing I saw was the smoke billowing up into the air and across the playing fields. It was really thick.
“From the amount of smoke there was it looked like it must have been very fierce. I didn’t hear anything before I saw that though.”
Emergency services were immediately dispatched to the scene after 999 calls were received shortly after 4pm.
Investigators entered the house to inspect the building while the last traces of smoke could still be seen smouldering on the roof.
Traffic heading to Lossiemouth on the A941 was diverted onto the B9135 as officers sealed off Elgin Road between Inchbroom Road and Coulardbank Road.
Officers warned residents to stay away from the area while the emergency services tackled the blaze.
Hoses were also set up on the pavement to douse the flames as part of the efforts to bring the fire under control.
A fire spokeswoman said: “The incident was reported to us at 4.13pm. Two units from Elgin and one from Lossiemouth were mobilised to the premises. Crews are working to make the area safe.”
A police spokesman said: “We received reports of a house fire on Elgin Road in Lossiemouth at 4.12pm. Police and fire crews attended and remained at the scene while it was being tackled.
“Scottish Fire and Rescue Service personnel also deployed to the scene and following their intervention the fire was successfully extinguished.
“Sadly there was one fatality. No other persons were injured. From initial inquiry it appears that there are no suspicious circumstances.”
Police officers were expected to remain at the scene over night and a joint fire investigation is due to take place today.
