Tributes have been paid to a man who died in a fire in Saltcoats earlier this week.
The 56-year-old, named locally as Mark Thornton, passed away following a blaze on Raise Street in the Ayrshire town on Tuesday night at around 7.30pm.
Fire crews and cops were called to the scene but sadly he was pronounced dead at the scene.
A joint investigation into the fire has been launched by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland .
A former school friend of Mark was one of those paying tribute on Facebook.
Ashley Cook wrote: "Just found out some very sad news - Mark Thornton, or Skippy to me and school friends from Shawlands Academy, passed away last night (Tuesday).
"A fire in Saltcoats. I will post news of funeral arrangements when I know them."
Elspeth Cherry said: "Poor Skippy, that is sad..."
Ronnie Costley commented: "Sorry to hear the news Ashley. I remember him he was a nice fella."
Linda Thomson said: "Oh no, that is so terribly sad. What awful news."
A police spokesman said: "Officers were made aware of a fire at a building on Raise Street in Saltcoats shortly after 7.35pm on Tuesday, January 7.
"A 56-year-old man was removed from the property. He was pronounced dead a short time later.
"The fire was extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and a joint investigation will be carried out to establish the full circumstances.
"A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal in due course."
