POLICE are hunting vandals who sparked a massive blaze at a derelict north-east house.
The property at Braeheads in Macduff was left extensively damaged after the early morning fire, which investigators believe was started deliberately.
Nearly 50 firefighters went to the scene, near the town’s marine aquarium, at around 1.45am.
No one was inside in the two-storey property when the fire broke out. Neighbours said it had lain empty for several months.
The blaze was the second incident of wilful fire-raising in the same area of the town within a matter of days.
On Saturday afternoon, vandals started a fire at a storage yard in nearby Mill Street, causing nearly £200,000 worth of damage to nets, tyres and fishing gear.
Last night, police and the fire brigade launched a joint investigation into the Braeheads blaze.
Six appliances from Banff, Macduff, Portsoy, Aberchirder, Turriff and Aberdeen were called to the scene. A welfare pod from Huntly was also used.
Fire and rescue group manager Ally Birkett said last night: “The fire was already well alight when crews arrived and the roof had collapsed on to the first floor.
“Based on that, we would estimate it had been burning for some time in the roof space, prior to us getting the call.” He said firefighters took steps to stop the flames from engulfing neighbours’ homes.
“There was some fire spread to the roof space of the adjoining property,” he said. “But crews used a height vehicle and tools to cut away some areas to ensure there was no further spread.” Mr Birkett added: “Firefighters in breathing apparatus used three main jets to extinguish the fire.”
The service’s height vehicle, which was brought in from Aberdeen, was used to dampen down the property and extinguish any hidden hot pockets.
The fire took about three hours to bring under control.
Yesterday, neighbours said the house was previously occupied by a group of Polish men, including tattoo artist Przemyslaw Salata, who used to have a business in the town’s Duff Street.
The men moved out last summer and the property had lain empty since then.
Police carried out door-to-door inquiries yesterday morning and asked locals if they had recently seen any lights, or heard music, coming from the building.
Some residents told officers that children had been playing nearby on Wednesday night.
A force spokesman said inquiries were ongoing.
Councillor Mark Findlater, who is chairman of the local community safety group, raised concerns about the fact there had been two blazes in the same area, just days apart.
“This is the second time fire crews have had to use the hydrant outside my house this week,” he said. “I think that’s twice it’s been used since I moved in about 16 years ago.
“I know other towns, like Fraserburgh, have been through a spate of incidents like this, but until now Macduff hasn’t really had any.
“If this is the start of a growing problem, it needs to be nipped in the bud as soon as possible. I would urge anyone with information about this to contact the police.”
Residents said that, although empty, the window of the attic room, where the fire appears to have started, had always been open.
On Saturday, more than 30 firefighters tackled the blaze at Mill Street.
Thick, black smoke from the burning yard could be seen for miles around.