A north-east community is searching for a missing dog after a devastating blaze destroyed a home and killed two animals.
Firefighters were called to Sandend on Thursday morning when neighbours in Seaview Road reported flames coming out of a semi-detached house.
The property’s owner had to be treated at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary but is not believed to have been seriously injured.
He has been named locally as Stewart Ingram.
One neighbour said she was woken up to the sounds of Mr Ingram shouting in his garden for help at about 1.30am.
As well as the blaze gutting his home, Mr Ingram’s pet cat and one pet dog were killed in the fire.
A second dog, a small chihuahua has since been reported missing by concerned friends.
A search effort is now underway to reunite Mr Igram with his pet, with locals asking for everyone in the community to keep an eye out for sightings of the male dog named Ralphie.
It is thought he may have ran off during the fire in the direction of Sandend beach.
Ralphie is described as being an “entire” male, with cream coloured fur and dark shading around his eyes.
A dog matching his description had been spotted in the Elgin area, but was not him.
Last night, friend Mark Fordyce said everyone was hopeful that the dog would be found safe and well.
“We’ve had a really good response from people looking for the dog online,” he added.
“We think maybe someone has taken the dog in, or it has found some shelter somewhere.
“There is also the chance, of course, that he may have fled upstairs into the house during the fire. No one can get upstairs just now because it’s unsafe.”
A police spokesman said: “Four Scottish Fire and Rescue Service appliances attended the scene along with the Scottish Ambulance Service and police.
“No other properties have been affected.”