Three people and a dog die in Perth hotel blaze: Guests evacuated as 999 crews race to scene

Three people and a dog have died in a hotel blaze in Perth with 999 crews racing to the scene after the fire broke out, Police Scotland have confirmed. 

Emergency services were called to a report of a fire at the New County Hotel, County Place, shortly before 5.10am today.

Three people were confirmed dead at the scene while a number of others were treated for minor injuries by the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Hotel guests and two people from a neighbouring block of flats were evacuated and are being supported.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney described the fatalities as 'heartbreaking news'.

Mr Swinney, the MSP for Perthshire North, tweeted: 'My sympathies with all affected by this tragedy.'

Chief Superintendent Phil Davison said: 'Our thoughts are very much with the families and loved ones of those who have died at what is a very difficult time for everyone.

'Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of what has happened and officers are conducting a joint investigation with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.'

A police cordon is in place and members of the public are being asked to avoid the area. 

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

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

Meanwhile, a Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We received a call from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service of a fire at the New County Hotel in Perth at 05:05hrs.

'We responded with 21 resources including our special operation resource team, with our first resource on scene at 05:12hrs.'

More to follow.