A north-east couple were last night being comforted by neighbours after their home burned to the ground.
A huge blaze took hold of their house in the village of Lethenty, near Fyvie, at lunchtime.
Neighbours raised the alarm and fire crews from across the region made their way to the property.
Though the flames were extinguished, the fire was so severe they were unable to prevent the building from collapsing in on itself.
It is understood the fire broke out in the roof space of the two-storey house. Hours later, a gaping hole was clearly visible in the building.
More than 50 firefighters from across Aberdeenshire were involved with the operation at one point as they tried bringing it under control.
Fire engines from Inverurie, Peterhead, Macduff, Turriff and Maud were called out to the blaze.
Smoke billowing from the smouldering property was visible across miles of countryside.
The couple who own the property were not home at the time and there no were injuries reported.
Hugh Johnstone, who lives across the road, raised the alarm and even went to check if there were any pets inside the blazing property.
He said: “My wife saw smoke at the top side of the house. I went down and realised it was on fire.
“After I phoned the fire brigade I went to see if the couple’s gogs were outside and safe and they were.
“My wife phoned the couple at their work but obviously there was nothing they could do.
“All we could do was phone the fire brigade. It is a nice community here and we all help each other.”
Firefighters remained on scene for some, extinguishing the flames, dampening down and ensuring the fire did not reignite.
The home’s owners could do little but look on.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: “We got the call at 1.39pm to a house fire in Lethenty.
“There were six appliances and command support units in attendance.”
“Fire crews from Turriff, Oldmeldrum, Maud, Ellon, Inverurie and Peterhead dealt with the incident.
“Firefighters tackled a fire in the roof space of a property. There were no casualties.”
An ambulance was called to the scene as a precaution.
