A historic former railway stationĀ in Ballater has been severely damaged in an overnight fire.
Emergency services were called to the Station Resturant in Station square at 1.56am to what was describedĀ as a “well developed blaze”.
AroundĀ 50 firefighters spent three hours tackling the inferno.
A number of businesses which are based in the building, including Lucyās Clothing, Amy Muir Photography, the Station Restaurant and the Ballater Information Centre, were also hit.
Fire at Ballater Railway Station this morning. It's now under control. No one injured. Building largely destroyed. pic.twitter.com/fuX2pCO9Vk
— St Margarets Project (@StStMegs) May 12, 2015
A spokesman for fire and rescue said that around 90% of the station square building had been destroyed.
She added: “Our firefighters worked hard to fight the flames and save the historic building.
“Five appliances, one height vehicle and one water carrier wereĀ used at the scene.
āThe blaze was underĀ controlĀ by 5.20am but operations will continue today to extinguish any hot spots to prevent further fire spread.
“A joint investigation with Police Scotland will be held to establish the circumstances surrounding what happened.”
The A93 between Ballater and BraemarĀ was closed until 11am.
No one was injured in the incident.