A 74-year-old man has died following an early morning fire at a property south of Buckie.
Police, fire and ambulance responded to reports of a house fire which broke out at Connage Cottages near the A98 at around 6am.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) sent three appliances from Buckie, Cullen and Fochabers to the incident at Connage Cottages to the south of Buckie.
Police have since confirmed that a 74-year-old man has died.
Officers remain at the scene.
A police vehicle has also been parked at the entrance to the row of houses at Connage Cottages, with the area surrounding the house still condoned off with tape.
Officers can be seen speaking to neighbours as they carry out a joint investigation with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service into the fire.
‘Heart-breaking’
Local councillor Sonya Warren described the news as ‘heart-breaking’.
She said: “My thoughts are with his family, friends and neighbours at this difficult time.
“And thanks to the emergency services who are dealing with this tough situation.
“It is a heart-breaking when something like this happens.”
Three fire appliances went to scene
A SFRS spokesman said: “We were alerted at 6.06am on Tuesday, March 19 to reports of a house fire at Connage Cottages, Buckie, Moray.
“Operations control mobilised three appliances to the scene.”
Crews were there for around three hours and eventually extinguished the fire before leaving the scene at 9.38am.
A police spokeswoman said: “Around 6.35am on Tuesday, 19 March, 2024 we were made aware of a fire at a property near the A98 outside Buckie.
“Emergency services attended and a 74-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin are aware.
“Inquiries are ongoing into the cause of the fire.
“A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”