Four children have died in a house fire in Nairn, a seaside resort in north-east Scotland.

The children, aged between three months and 10, were dead when firefighters and police arrived at the house in Harper Street at 9.50am on Sunday.

Witnesses said their mother ran out of the house with her hair on fire and had to be stopped from going back inside in a rescue bid.

A man apparently fell from a 30ft balcony, injuring himself when he hit the ground.

The two adults were taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

A spokeswoman for the Highlands and Islands Fire Brigade said the blaze raged for an hour before being brought under control.

Eleven firefighters, four wearing breathing apparatus, tackled the fire and removed the dead children from the flat, she said.

Acting Inspector Chas Ross of the Northern Constabulary said the tragedy will have a profound effect on a close knit community of Nairn.

The identities of the children are not expected to be officially released before Monday.

Nairn councillor Nigel Graham said he had been told there had been an explosion in the block of flats.

He said the flats had been built around five years ago and some remained unsold.
 

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