Emergency services rushed to Airdrie after a house went up in flames amid reports of an "explosion".
The blaze happened in the town's Ewart Drive in the early hours of this morning.
Nearby residents from eight neighbouring houses were evacuated around 3.05am.
One eyewitness told the Daily Record the house had been "obliterated".
There was a large police presence and officers on the scene throughout the night from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
Emergency services remain at the scene and enquiries are continuing.
One local shared an image of the devastation on Twitter, showing a property gutted by the inferno.
The eyewitness said the incident had either been a "gas explosion or fire".
A Police Scotland spokesperson said four of the evacuated households have been allowed to return. The others remain with family and friends.
She added: "Around 3.05 am this morning, Saturday, 27 June, 2020, police and emergency services were called to a report of a fire within a detached house in Ewart Drive, Airdrie.
"Emergency services remain at the scene and enquiries are continuing. The occupants of eight nearby houses were evacuated at the time as a precaution, however, four have since been allowed to return. The others remain with family and friends."
It is not known at this time if there have been any injuries or fatalities in the incident.
