Three people reportedly killed in Perth hotel fire | Scotland

Three people and a dog are believed to have died in an early morning hotel fire in Perth and Kinross.

Emergency services were called to the New County Hotel in Perth shortly after 5am on Monday.

Police Scotland confirmed that a “number of guests” had been evacuated from the town center building.

Deputy Prime Minister John Swinney called the deaths “heartbreaking news”.

Swinney, the MSP for Perthshire North, tweeted: ‘My sympathies to all affected by this tragedy.

His comments came after Police Scotland said: ‘Shortly before 5.10am on Monday 2nd January 2023, police were called to a report of a fire at the New County Hotel, County Place, Perth. Help is on the spot.

“A number of guests have been evacuated from the hotel. Members of the public are asked to avoid the area.

Roads around the hotel were closed when emergency services responded, with Perth and Kinross Council also advising people to avoid the area.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said it sent nine devices to the scene after the alarm was raised at 5.02am.

A spokesperson for the SFRS said: ‘We are currently assisting alongside emergency service partners at a fire at a commercial building at County Place in Perth.

A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said it responded with 21 resources, including its Special Operations Resource Team, and was first on the scene at 5.12am.