A toddler has been flown to hospital in Glasgow in a serious condition following a house fire in Lossiemouth.
The 13-month-old girl and her parents were rescued from the house on MacDonald Drive early yesterday morning.
About 40 firefighters tackled the flames for several hours, and an investigation into the cause of the blaze – which broke out at about 3.45am – is now under way.
The girl and her parents were initially taken to Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin for an assessment, but she was flown to Glasgow.
Her father, named locally as Neil Thompson, 35, and her 31-year-old mother were transferred to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary by road ambulance. They remain in a serious condition.
The house itself was left a burnt-out shell, with the roof partially caved in and windows smashed and blackened.
Yesterday, the family’s neighbours rallied around yesterday in shock, and said they were “well-respected” within the community.
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Campbell Souter lives on the street and plays in the same pool league as Mr Thompson.
He said: “They are a very nice family and very well respected and I hate to see something like this happen.
“I wish them all the best.”
Mr Thompson and his brother inherited their father Richard’s plumbing and heating business when he died in 2017.
One former neighbour, retired plumber Willie Stewart, said he could not believe what had happened.
He said: “Ricky (Richard Thompson) used to live in that house and I used to live right next door to him.
“I initially thought there was a car accident or something but I hope everyone is all right as you don’t like to see things like this happen, especially with a young kid involved.
“I used to chat to his father in the pub so I hope everything is OK with them.”
A section of McDonald Drive remained cordoned off yesterday as police and fire investigation teams inspected the house.
Detective Inspector Norman Stevenson confirmed that a joint investigation is now under way.
He said: “Our inquiries are at an early stage in establishing what caused the fire. A joint investigation by ourselves and the fire service is due to take place today, following a structural survey.
“The three occupants of the house are all in a serious condition and our thoughts are with them and their family at this time.
“The local community is thanked for their patience and understanding whilst we, and partner agencies, carry out our inquiries.”
Three people taken to hospital as 45 firefighters tackle Lossiemouth house blaze
The Scottish Ambulance Service sent three crews, two response units and a paramedic practitioner to the scene in the early hours of Thursday.
A spokesman confirmed the girl had been airlifted to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.
He said: “We received a call at 0348 hours to attend an incident on MacDonald Drive, Lossiemouth.
“We dispatched three ambulance crews, two special operation response units and a paramedic practitioner to the scene and transported two patients – a male and a female in their 30s to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.”
