Body found after fire tears through property in Blairgowrie, Perthshire

A body has been found after a fire broke out at a property in Perthshire

Emergency services were called to John Street in Blairgowrie at around 5pm on Thursday as smoke was seen billowing from area.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue said it sent four appliances to battle the blaze and by 7.02pm it was extinguished.

A body was discovered inside the property, police said. Formal identification is yet to take place.

Former deputy first minister John Swinney, Perthshire North MSP, said he was “terribly sorry” to hear the news.

“My condolences to those affected by this tragedy,” he said.

Jason Sharp, a senior officer at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We were alerted at 4.48pm on Thursday to reports of a dwelling on fire at John Street, Blairgowrie.

“Operations Control mobilised four fire appliances and one height vehicle to the scene.

“Firefighters extinguished a fire affecting a ground floor flat.

“Sadly, one person passed away at the scene.

“Our thoughts are very much with family, friends and wider community at this difficult time.”

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “Around 5pm on Thursday, police were called to the John Street area of Blairgowrie, following a report of a fire at a property.

“The fire was extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and the body of a person was found within. Formal identification is yet to take place.

“A joint investigation remains ongoing, but there is not believed to be any suspicious circumstances.”