A man has tragically died and an eight-year-old girl is injured after a horror blaze broke out at a four-storey building in Scotland.

Police officers spotted the fire tearing through the property on the corner of Scott Street and South Street, Perth, while they were patrolling the area at around 1.50am yesterday.

Around 40 residents were evacuated from nearby properties after police, fire and ambulance crews rushed to the blaze.

A man was found dead at the scene, while the eight-year-old girl and another man, aged 27, were taken to hospital.

Two firefighters also required medical attention, one of them after being struck by ‘falling masonry’ as a result of the inferno.

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney, whose constituency as an MSP is Perthshire North, said he was ‘terribly sorry’ to hear that a man had died.

He continued: ‘I express my sympathy to his family. Concerned also for the condition of those who are receiving hospital treatment.’

Perth and Kinross-shire MP, Pete Wishart, called it ‘awful news’ and said ‘we had hoped that everyone had got out safely’.

A man has tragically died and an eight-year-old girl has been injured after a horror blaze broke out at a four-storey building in Scotland

Police officers spotted the fire tearing through the property on the corner of Scott Street and South Street, Perth , while they were patrolling the area at around 1.50am yesterday

Around 40 residents were evacuated from nearby properties after police, fire and ambulance crews rushed to the blaze

He added: ‘Thoughts are with family and friends. There is going to be ongoing disruption in the city centre and I ask everyone to be patient with the investigation and restrictions.’

The MP visited the scene of the fire today and said Perth had responded ‘magnificently’ and thanked emergency services and volunteers.

Chief Superintendent Nicola Russell said Police Scotland are conducting a joint investigation with the fire service.

She said: ‘Our thoughts are with all those affected by this incident. Investigations are at a very early stage to establish the full circumstances of what has happened.

‘As part of our investigations a temporary airspace restriction is place in the Scott Street and South Street areas in Perth until 1pm on Wednesday, June 18, for security and your safety.

A man was found dead at the scene, while the eight-year-old girl and another man, aged 27, were taken to hospital 

Two firefighters also required medical attention, one of them after being struck by ‘falling masonry’ as a result of the inferno

‘Restrictions include drones. You must check if it is legal to fly in your area. Drone users are responsible. It is a criminal offence to fly in restricted airspace.’

Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Andy Girrity of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘On arrival, firefighters found the roof of a four-storey residential building well alight. 

‘Initially, three appliances were mobilised, but due to the severity of the blaze and structural collapses, a total of twelve appliances were involved at the height of the incident.

‘Five casualties, including one firefighter injured by falling masonry, were passed into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service.

‘The incident has now been scaled back, and two appliances and one height vehicle remain on scene to dampen down hotspots.’

Members of the public were urged to avoid the area as closures remain in place at Scott Street and South Street.