Investigations are under way into the cause of a fire which ripped through an Aberdeenshire shop. 

More than 60 firefighters were called to the scene of the blaze at Strachans in Aboyne. The hardware shop was described as the heart of the community. 

The fire broke out at around 3.15pm on Wednesday afternoon. People in the area at the time reported hearing an explosion moments before. (A viewer shot dramatic video of the fire)

The blaze was not brought under control until the evening, and firefighters were forced out of the building on account of the intense heat and concerns the building would collapse. 

The fire spread into one of the two flats above the shop, but it was successfully prevented from hitting the restaurant next door and the second flat.

Fourteen people including staff and local residents were evacuated and the town centre was brough to a standstill by the events.

Two men, understood to be the owner and his son, were treated locally for minor burns.