Three people and a dog have died after a fire broke out at a Perth hotel.
Emergency services including 21 ambulance crews and nine fire trucks were called to the New County Hotel on County Place at about 05.10am.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said three people and a dog died.
Guests were evacuated and police cordoned off the road, urging members of the public to avoid the area. Perth and Kinross Council said traffic in the area was likely to be affected.
Perth & Kinross Council announced that County Place, Hospital Street, Leonard Street and New Row have been closed off.
The council added: “[Roads] closed due to an ongoing incident.
“Be aware that traffic in the surrounding area is also likely to be impacted as well as public transport routes.
“Please avoid the area if you can.”
Local MSP and deputy first minister John Swinney said on Twitter: “Very concerned to hear this news and hope that everyone is safe. Grateful thanks, as ever, to the emergency services for their actions.”
Deputy leader of Perth & Kinross Council, councillor Eric Drysdale, warned members of the public that it was a “very serious incident”.
He added: “All announcements regarding any confirmed casualties will be made by the emergency services.
“Roads around the scene, specifically County Place, Leonard Street, New Row and Hospital Street, are closed. Please avoid the area today.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We are currently in attendance alongside emergency service partners at a commercial building fire at County Place in Perth.
“Operations Control mobilised nine fire appliances to the scene after the alarm was raised at 5.02am on Monday, 2 January.”
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