Three Elgin families had to move out of their homes on Christmas Eve after debris from a derelict building was scattered over their street.
The former sawmill on Linkwood Road, which has lain unused for several years, collapsed at around 11pm leaving tons of bricks and other debris littering the road.
Emergency services sealed off the area and evacuated three households – two of whom moved to friends or family while a third had to be found temporary accommodation by Moray Council.
A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “A substantial section of the building had fallen on to the road and the collapse is thought to be due to the strong winds experienced in the area.”
While a 200-yard section of the road was cordoned off as engineers and workmen cleared the debris and assessed the damage, the road was reopened late on Christmas Day.
The building, opposite the Elgin Auction Mart, was formerly Fleming’s Sawmill which was sold by a local businessman to Glasgow-based developers Elphinstone some years ago.
The site was the subject of £20million development plans in 2009 – but these were rejected by Moray Council with the developers going into administration shortly after.