Investigators spent the weekend combing the fire-ravaged interior of a Brechin flat following a ferocious blaze which claimed the life of a local man.
The victim was dragged from the burning ground-floor flat by firefighters in the Friday afternoon drama, but despite the efforts of emergency services at the scene died later in hospital.
He was named locally as Ian Stewart, known as Graham.
One shocked River Street neighbour spoke of the desperate efforts to revive the man, and the warning locals were given to stay back from the building amidst concerns of an explosion there.
Mr Stewart was described as a friendly figure by stunned residents who learned of the tragic turn of events on Saturday.
The fire broke out shortly after 4pm and he was given CPR outside his home as part of the bid to save him.
Weekend daylight revealed the devastating extent of the fire, with charred belongings piled up outside the property.
In a brief statement, Police Scotland confirmed the joint investigation into the fatal fire with colleagues from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
The area around the flat remained cordoned off as white-suited forensic experts carried out a detailed examination of the property.
Next door neighbour Katie Coutts spoke of the dramatic sight of seeing smoke pouring into the sky above the street as she made her way home.
“I was coming back home with my dog and saw loads of smoke,” said the 20-year-old.
“I thought it was my house so I just came running down the hill. I put the dog in the house thinking it would all be over quite quickly, but I didn’t realise the severity of it,” she added.
She said she knew Mr Stewart as ‘Grimmy’.
“He was here before I came here a couple of years ago and he was always nice to me,” added Miss Coutts.
“He always spoke and gives me Christmas decorations, I was just speaking to him this week.
“They were doing CPR on him and then put up a blue cover and told everyone to get back because the police were worried there was going to be an explosion.
“It’s a bit hard to take in that he has died.”
