WATCH: 'Absolute inferno' consumes historic Oldmills in Elgin
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Firefighters battled an early morning blaze at a derelict mill in Elgin today.
The now-gutted mill has suffered three major fires in recent years and lost its roof in the latest disaster.
Police and fire services maintained their cordon around the Oldmills Road building into the afternoon as they continued damping the embers.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 3.32am on Monday, February 7, to reports of a fire within a three-storey building in Oldmills Road, Elgin.
“Operations control immediately mobilised four fire engines and a height appliance to the location and firefighters extinguished the fire.
“Crews will remain at the scene until the area is made safe.”
The building dates from before 1230, when Alexander II granted the milling rights to the monks at Pluscarden Abbey, and it is both the River Lossie's oldest and most recently working mill.
Some residents reported loud noises and explosions during the fire's early stages, though these were not heard by all residents.
A local resident, who asked not to be named, said: "It was an absolute inferno.
"The fire started at around 3.30 in the morning, but it was 4.30 before we were woken up.
"My wife was woken up by the flashing lights and there was a fire engine and an ambulance on the scene.
"We didn't hear a bang or any noise, it was just the flashing lights that woke us up."
Police and fire services are still investigating possible causes. Officials from Moray Council Building Services were also on the scene.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We received a report of a fire at a building on Oldmills Road, Elgin, around 3.55am on Monday, 7 February.
“There were no reports of any injuries.
"Enquiries into the cause of the fire are ongoing in conjunction with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
"Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting incident number 0307 of 7 February, 2022."
The local resident said: "That is the fourth major fire they have had in four years.
"It used to be an absolutely beautiful place back when the council owned it. People used to come and have their wedding photos taken there."
