A pensioner died in a fierce blaze at a sheltered housing complex in Balmedie yesterday.
The man, Anthony Masson, 75, was killed in the “intense fire” which broke out just before 6am.
Firefighters battled for more than an hour to bring the blaze under control.
Crews wore breathing apparatus at the Aberdeenshire Council-run complex.
Yesterday, neighbours said they had been left shocked and paid tribute to the man they knew fondly as Tony.
Three fire engines, three police cars and an ambulance went to the scene at Eigie House Cottages.
Mr Masson’s home was one of a number of stand-alone properties which form part of the sheltered housing complex.
Residents Jo and Shirley Webb said they were woken by shouting and knocking and were confronted by “horrendous” smoke and flames.
Mrs Webb, 51, said their neighbour alerted them and told them to move their car to make way for the emergency services.
“It was just awful. His living room was full of flames and there was smoke everywhere. The big window must have burst because of the heat.
“When the firefighters arrived, they kicked in the door and there was a big whooshing noise and an explosion. Flames came roaring out the door. I saw Tony the other day, he was such a nice man.”
Her 59-year-old husband added: “Tony was a lovely man who kept to himself. He would often knock and ask if we would mind going to the shop to get him cigarettes.”
The couple said Mr Masson was visited last month by his two daughters, who are believed to live in South Africa and New Zealand.
Former firefighter John Reid, 70, said the blaze was too intense for Mr Masson to be saved.
He said: “I knew what to do in this situation, but even from my experience, this fire was very intense. The windows popped and you could see the fire raging in the living-room. There was thick smoke coming out of the house.”
An Aberdeenshire Council spokeswoman said residents were being comforted and assisted by staff.
She confirmed that all properties at Eigie House, which gives residents the opportunity to live independently, were fitted with fire alarms. She added: “A sheltered housing officer is on duty on weekdays between 8.45am and 5pm, and between 8.45am and 1pm at the weekend.
“Outwith those hours there is off-site cover, which can be activated by an emergency alarm within each of the properties.
“Aberdeenshire Council is deeply saddened at the news of a fatality at one of its sheltered housing complexes.
“We will assist emergency services in the investigation.”
Senior fire service officer David Rout said: “With the close relationships that exist between Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in Aberdeenshire and our partner agencies in Aberdeenshire Council and Police Scotland, we shall be working together to establish the cause, with our key aim to prevent fires occurring and protect those most vulnerable at risk in Aberdeenshire communities.”
Police said a joint investigation into the cause was being carried out.