Police in Scotland have confirmed the deaths of three people following an early morning fire at a hotel.
The three died after a fire broke out at the New County Hotel in County Place, Perth, Police Scotland have confirmed. Officers were called to a report of a fire at the premises shortly before 5.10am on Monday.
Emergency services attended and three people were confirmed dead at the scene while a number of others were treated for minor injuries by the Scottish Ambulance Service. Hotel guests and two people from a neighbouring block of flats were evacuated.
Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Phil Davison said: “Our thoughts are very much with the families and loved ones of those who have died at what is a very difficult time for everyone.
"Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of what has happened and officers are conducting a joint investigation with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.”
Deputy First Minister John Swinney described the fatalities as 'heart-breaking news'. Mr Swinney, the MSP for Perthshire North, tweeted: "My sympathies with all affected by this tragedy."
His comments came after Police Scotland confirmed: "Shortly before 5.10am on Monday, January 2, 2023, police were called to a report of a fire at the New County Hotel, County Place, Perth.
"Emergency services are at the scene. A number of guests have been evacuated from the hotel. Members of the public are being asked to avoid the area.”
Roads around the hotel were closed off as as the emergency services responded, with Perth and Kinross Council also advising people to avoid the area.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said it had sent nine appliances to the scene after the alarm was raised at 5.02am. A spokesperson for the SFRS said: “We are currently in attendance alongside emergency service partners at a commercial building fire at County Place in Perth.”
Meanwhile, a Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We received a call from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service of a fire at the New County Hotel in Perth at 05:05hrs.
“We responded with 21 resources including our special operation resource team, with our first resource on scene at 05:12hrs."
Investigations are ongoing and no further details have been revealed.
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