An elderly woman has died following a blaze at a house, taking the number of fire fatalities in the Strathclyde area over the festive period to three.
Firefighters were called to the incident at Burns Street in Levenvale, Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire, just before 6am on Saturday.
Crews from Balloch and Dumbarton were sent to the scene, where passers by told them that an elderly woman was thought to be inside the two-storey semi-detached property.
Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters using breathing equipment entered the house and quickly found the woman, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The cause of the fire has not yet been established and a joint investigation involving the fire service and Strathclyde Police is under way.
Fire chiefs said the incident is a stark reminder that fire can strike anywhere, as they stressed the importance of taking precautions to prevent a blaze taking hold.
Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service urged every resident to make sure they have a working smoke alarm.
Assistant chief officer Lewis Ramsay said: "In the event of a fire, a smoke alarm will give you and your family vital life-saving minutes to escape safely. Every household in Strathclyde should have at least one working smoke alarm.
"If you, or someone you know - a neighbour, friend, or family member - doesn't have a working smoke alarm, I would urge you to fit one immediately or call Strathclyde Fire and Rescue on 0800 0731 999.
"We will supply and fit long life smoke alarms and a heat alarm free of charge."
