Three people have died in an early morning hotel blaze in Perth and Kinross, police have confirmed.
Emergency services were called to the New County hotel on County Place near the centre of Perth shortly after 5am on Monday.
More than 60 firefighters attended the fire at the peak of the response.
Police Scotland said three people had died in the fire and hotel guests as well as two people from a neighbouring block of flats had been evacuated. Eleven people received treatment at the scene but did not need to go to hospital. A dog also died in the blaze.
Chief Supt 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 inquiries 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.”
Davison confirmed three people and a dog died at the scene, adding that inquiries were at an early stage and that no further details of those involved would be released at this time.
Giving a statement near the scene in Perth, Jason Sharp, Scottish fire and rescue service area commander for Perth, Kinross, Angus and Dundee, said: “This was a very complex incident where tragically three people were pronounced dead at the scene. He added: “Our firefighters worked extremely hard in a very complex and challenging environment to prevent the further spread of fire and damage where possible. At its height, we had nine fire appliances in attendance with over 60 firefighters.
“We’re currently still in attendance to make sure the scene is safe.”
The deputy first minister, John Swinney, described the fatalities as “heartbreaking news”.
Swinney, the MSP for Perthshire North, tweeted: “My sympathies with all affected by this tragedy.”
His comments came after Police Scotland said: “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 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 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.”
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.”
Pete Wishart, the MP for Perth and North Perthshire, said the fire was “simply awful news at the beginning of the year when so many people are out celebrating”.
He added: “My thoughts are firmly with the families and friends of the victims. When the news broke, we all hoped that everyone would make it out and would be accounted for. This is the last thing that anybody expected.
“I know the people of Perth will be devastated by this news and would like to extend their deepest sympathies to those affected by this tragedy. Can I also thank the emergency services who attended the scene in such numbers.”
