Tragedy struck in Aberdeen as a fire engulfed a block of flats on Back Hilton Road, resulting in the deaths of two women and hospitalization of a baby, alongside four others.
Emergency services responded swiftly to the incident, which occurred shortly before 6 p.m. on Monday evening in the north of the north-eastern Scottish city.
Despite the efforts of firefighters, the two women were tragically pronounced dead at the scene, while the baby, reportedly unrelated to the deceased women, and four others were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and distress as residents attempted to alert firefighters to their plight. One witness recounted seeing a woman clutching the baby, desperately signaling for help by banging on windows and flashing her phone's light.
The exact cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident remain under investigation, as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to the blaze.
The community has been left reeling by the loss of life and the harrowing ordeal faced by those caught up in the fire. Support services have been mobilized to provide assistance and comfort to those affected by the devastating events.
As the investigation unfolds, questions linger regarding fire safety protocols and measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, underscoring the importance of robust safety standards in residential buildings.
The aftermath of the blaze serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the critical role played by emergency services in safeguarding communities during times of crisis.