A firefighter has been taken to hospital after he fell while battling a deliberate fire in Peterhead.
The 58-year-old was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for treatment, and he has since been discharged from hospital.
The blaze started in a block of flats on King Street at around 4am.
A joint police and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service investigation is underway.
Households were evacuated as firefighters from Peterhead, Maud, Ellon and Fraserburgh worked to bring the flames under control.
Nearby residents told the P&J that those forced to flee their homes had to stand outside for “a couple of hours”.
Breathing apparatus was used to search the buildings, and two main reel jets to dampen the flames.
Firefighter was injured in Peterhead fall
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 4.04am on Tuesday, 17 September to reports of a dwelling fire in Peterhead.
“Operations Control mobilised three fire appliances to the town’s King Street, where firefighters were met by a fire within a block of flats.
“Crews thereafter used breathing apparatus and specialist fire escape hoods to lead a number of residents to safety.
“One firefighter was transported to Aberdeen’s Royal Infirmary by paramedics where he received treatment for a leg injury. He has since been discharged from hospital.
Adding: “The fire has now been extinguished and crews have left the scene after working to make the area safe.
“A joint investigation between SFRS and Police Scotland is now underway.”
This morning, Police Scotland confirmed a firefighter was injured and that the incident is being treated as deliberate.
The spokesperson said: “Around 4.20am on Tuesday, 17 September, 2024 we were called to a report of a fire in a block of flats on King Street, Peterhead.
“Emergency services attended and the fire was extinguished by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
“A number of properties have been evacuated.
“A 58-year-old man – a firefighter – was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for treatment to injuries following a fall.
“King Street remains closed between Ugie Street and Windmill Street.
“Inquiries remain ongoing however the fire is being treated as wilful.”
‘It must’ve been bad’
One resident, who lives nearby on King Street said he saw his neighbours evacuated in the early hours of the morning.
He said: “I heard from one of our neighbours that the building was evacuated.
“There were loads of people standing outside of it for a couple of hours.
“I saw all of the emergency services on the street as I was taking the kids to school.
“It must’ve been bad.”
Another person, on Ugie St, was given a rude awakening by the fire.
“I was woken up,” they said.
“I got up and just opened the window to see what was happening.
“Then I saw smoke billowing up from across the street.
“Soon after all the police and fire engines were on the street.
“I’ve never seen anything like this before here.”
Man off work after being evacuated
Workers at the nearby Aberdeenshire Council landscape service building said one of their staff was evacuated in the fire.
One worker said: “He phoned us early in the morning to say he won’t be here.
“He was evacuated from the building early this morning.
“We still have no idea what’s going on with that.
“We never seen anything about the fire. Looks like a bad one though.”
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