Two men have died and a woman injured in a spate of house fires across the north.
Firefighters tackled blazes in Helmsdale, Loch an Eilein and Tarbet within just 24 hours.
On Saturday, crews raced to an address in Trentham Street, Helmsdale at about 4.30pm and found the property was “well-alight”, with flames and thick black smoke billowing from the ground floor.
The team of about 20 battled the “extremely challenging” conditions to reach the man inside, but although he was airlifted to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, he could not be saved.
His two dogs – who the firefighters went back inside to rescue – also perished.
Group manager Antony Gardner said: “The fire crews demonstrated exemplary levels of courage and compassion in attempting all that was possible to save the gentleman’s life.
“Our thoughts are now with the family and friends of the gentleman involved.”
And a man in his 80s was killed after a fire in his forest home on the Rothiemurchus Estate, near Aviemore, broke out at about 1.30pm.
Firefighters from Aviemore, Grantown and Kingussie attended the scene, but the man was declared dead at the scene.
Councillor Bill Lobban, Badenoch and Strathspey, said: “It’s a horrendous thing to happen to anyone.
“My sympathies are with his family and friends.”
Police and the fire service said that joint investigations into both deaths would be conducted over the coming days.
A police spokesman said: “Inquiries are at an early stage and a joint investigation is anticipated to commence. The next of kin of the man who died have been informed.”
Councillor Bill Lobban, Badenoch and Strathspey, said: “It’s a horrendous thing to happen to anyone.
“My sympathies are with his family and friends.”
Just an hour before yesterday’s call, firefighters on Harris were called into action after a blaze broke out at a house in Tarbet.
A woman was rescued from the property, and she was taken to hospital in Stornoway where her condition was last night unknown.
Police said investigations into the incident are ongoing.