A pensioner was found dead in her flat by firefighters last night.
Fire crews were alerted to a smoke alarm sounding at a property in the Midstocket area of Aberdeen at about 5.10pm.
They extinguished a small kitchen fire, but also found the body of the 80-year-old woman.
Her death is not believed to have been caused by the blaze.
Detectives, uniformed officers and a fire investigation unit were at the scene for several hours last night.
However, the woman’s death is not being treated as suspicious.
No one else was in the house at the time of the fire and no neighbouring buildings were affected.
One neighbour, who has lived on the street for about two decades, said she was “very sad” to hear the news.
The woman, who did not wish to be named, said: “We have lived here for about 20 years and she was in the street when we moved in.
“I think she lived on her own in that time but her family visited regularly.
“I didn’t see the fire brigade but I heard the noise.”
Another neighbour added: “I saw the police and fire brigade when I came home from work, I was just asking them if it was safe to be around.
“I only moved in a few weeks ago so didn’t know the woman who lived there.”
Fire crews were alerted after a small kitchen blaze set off a smoke alarm at the property.
Four appliances, with 18 firefighters on board, tackled the blaze and alerted police to the death.
Police were expected to remain at the property overnight.
Last night, a spokeswoman for the force said the woman’s family had been informed.
The spokeswoman said: “Around 5.10pm, emergency services were alerted to a smoke alarm sounding at a property in the Midstocket area of Aberdeen.
“Scottish Fire and Rescue Service personnel attended to a small fire in the kitchen of the property and sadly discovered an elderly woman deceased within.
“No-one else was within the property and no neighbouring homes were affected.
“Officers are liaising with next of kin and further details will be issued in due course.”