Explosion hotel being demolished

Part of the rear of the premises collapsed

A hotel devastated in an explosion in Aberdeenshire is being demolished.

Inquiries into the cause of the explosion at the Drumtochty Arms in Auchenblae on Wednesday night are continuing.

Three people injured in the blast are said to be in a "stable" condition in hospital.

Firefighters searching the debris were forced to pull out on Thursday amid fears the building could collapse. The pub had recently been refurbished.

It is thought the explosion could have been related to a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder.

Witness Gary Downs said he came across a man who said he caused the explosion.

Mr Downs said: "He was all covered in blood and completely delirious going 'it's my fault, I forgot to turn the gas off'."

A director of the company which owns the hotel told BBC Scotland he was hugely relieved there had been no loss of life.