The owner of an iconic Perthshire hotel is counting the cost of a major blaze which wiped out several top floor rooms.
An investigation is now under way into the devastating New Year’s Day fire at Fisher’s Hotel, Pitlochry.
Fire chiefs were back at the scene on Monday morning to assess the damage and try to establish what caused the incident. Police Scotland are also involved in the probe.
It is believed that a lit firework from a Hogmanay display may have sparked the rooftop inferno.
Representatives of a fireworks specialist firm were at the Atholl Street venue yesterday to help management with their inquiries.
Around 200 guests were evacuated from the building when the alarm was raised just after 6am.
They were given shelter at the nearby Scotland’s Hotel, before being bussed to the Atholl Palace for accommodation and food.
Many returned to Fisher’s on Monday morning to collect belongings left behind in their rooms.
Some guests’ clothes and other items were lost in the fire, however.
Several bedrooms on the top floor have been extensively damaged. It is understood other parts of the hotel, including the ballroom, have also suffered damage.
No one from the hotel was available to comment, but management expressed their gratitude to everyone who gave their support in a statement on social media.
A spokesman said: “A huge thank you to all our guests for your patience and a well done to all Fisher’s staff for getting everyone out safely.
“Also must thank all areas of the emergency services, Red Cross, Volunteers, Housing, Scotland’s hotel, Atholl Palace and Pitlochry Hydro for your assistance.”
He added: “Great sense of community even in hard times. Thank you, we are glad everyone is safe.”
It is unclear when the hotel will be able to fully re-open.
A fire service spokeswoman said that their half of the investigation was now complete. The findings will be shared with police, who will visit the hotel in the morning.
At the height of the blaze, more than 50 firefighters were tackling the flames.
The building was well ablaze when they arrived on the scene. Fire crews carried out a sweep of the 137-bedroom building to ensure that all guests had been removed safely.
The fire hit the hotel’s electrics, meaning that the alarm could not be heard on some floors. Guests were woken by staff banging on doors, demanding they leave immediately.
A New Year’s Day street party, which usually brings about 5,000 people to the town, had to be cancelled.
