The Meadow bakery in Bridgend was also ravaged after fire broke out around midnight.

And crews were called to a flat in Leonard Street, near the junction with Hospital Street, in the city centre shortly before 7am after reports of a television on fire.

Although no-one was injured, there was one fatality — as a much-loved pet cat perished in the blaze.

Tayside Fire Brigade received a call to attend at an address in Mull Place, Muirton, just prior to 3am, finding a blaze within the second floor flat of a four-storey block.

Three people were removed before their arrival, while a further nine required to be led to safety by firefighters.

An ambulance was called and three occupants received treatment at the scene, though all declined to go to hospital.

Resident Caroline Lamond (52) said she thought a struggle had broken out in the stairwell.

“The first I knew of the fire was when I heard the firemen thundering up the stairs.

“I thought it was a fight or something, but when I got up to the window I saw that it was a fire.”

Most residents remained within their flats, but were evacuated by firefighters as a precautionary measure.

A number of the properties were today without electricity.

Fellow resident Graeme Kelly (32) said he had first been alerted at shortly after 2.30am by a female speaking very loudly.

“When the woman came down the stairs I asked what was wrong and was told her livingroom was on fire,” he said.

Mr Kelly said he had remained within the flat but had been asked to move outside by firefighters.

The later fire in Leonard Street was quickly under control, but caused extensive damage and required firefighters to remain at the scene for some time dampening down and ventilating the property.

Neighbours spilled out on to adjacent balconies, but did not require to be evacuated.

“The fire destroyed everything within the livingroom and there is both extensive heat damage to the kitchen and smoke damage to the first floor,” said Station Officer Keith Dyer. “Crews found a good-going fire within the livingroom.”

SO Dyer said the cause of the fire would be investigated, although there did not appear to be any suspicious circumstances. He added, “People got out of their properties and on to their balconies but there was no real risk.”

Firefighters remained on the scene for some time stripping out to check for fire spread.

The brigade also attended at Meadow Bakery in Main Street, Bridgend, as Tuesday began and believe the blaze started within an electrical light-fitting.

Extensive damage was caused to the business.