The Queen was "greatly saddened" by the nursing home deaths

In a message conveyed to First Minister Jack McConnell, she described her "great sadness" over the deaths.

The blaze broke out at the Rosepark home in Uddingston, near Glasgow, at 0437 GMT on Saturday.

Mr McConnell said the fatal fire was "a tragedy for everyone involved", while Help the Aged Scotland called for an inquiry into safety measures.

Emergency crews said an "intense" fire broke out in a small area of the home and generated a lot of smoke.

The Queen said: "I was greatly saddened to learn of the loss of life in Saturday morning's fire at Rosepark Nursing Home in Uddingston.

"Through you, first minister, I wish to convey my heartfelt sympathies to families and friends of all those killed and injured.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with them all."

My thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones and those in hospital First Minister Jack McConnell

About 24 residents in the home were unhurt and have been moved to other residential care in Uddingston.

Mr McConnell said: "My thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones and those in hospital.

"The emergency and support services are working tirelessly and will have our full support today."

Help the Aged spokeswoman Hilary Carter said: "This fire has been the most terrible tragedy and our thoughts are with the residents, staff, families and friends.

'Tragic loss'

"Older people move into residential care in order to be able to live in a safe and supportive environment.

"Help the Aged will be urging a full and comprehensive inquiry to identify the cause of the blaze and to provide recommendations to ensure that such an appalling event will never be allowed to happen again."

North Lanarkshire Council leader Jim McCabe said the local community was in deep shock over the fatal blaze.

"The loss of life is tragic at any time, but especially in these circumstances," he said.

Emergency services are at the scene

"It's a terrible situation that so many people in the twilight of their lives have died in this fire.

"I'm sure there will be many people affected by this tragedy within the community, whether relatives or friends and neighbours.

"My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones today."

Barbara Maclennan, the director for services at Carrick Care Homes, said she had offered beds to the Rosepark residents who had been evacuated.

She said: "There but for the grace of God - we are all very concerned that this could have happened to anyone."

Joe Campbell, chief executive of Scottish Care, which represents more than 800 of the 1,100 care homes in Scotland, said: "This is a terrible tragedy. Our hearts go out to the relatives of those elderly people who lost their lives."

I have visited this nursing home on a number of occasions and feel a great sadness at what has happened Local MP John Reid

Local MSP Michael McMahon said he intended to raise the issue in the Scottish Parliament.

The Labour MSP for Hamilton North and Bellshill said lessons must be learned from the fatal blaze.

Health Secretary John Reid - who is the local MP - sent his message of support to the families who had lost loved ones.

He said: "I have visited this nursing home on a number of occasions and feel a great sadness at what has happened."

'Great sadness'

Scottish Conservative leader David McLetchie welcomed the investigation into the blaze but said everyone's immediate thoughts should be with those who had lost loved ones.

The chief executive of the National Care Homes Association, Sheila Scott, said: "It is any care home's worst nightmare.

"We have no idea what has happened but you can imagine a fire in the middle of the night at a care home full of people, some of whom probably can barely walk."

Bob Burrows, a local councillor, said: "This is a terrible tragedy for the community.

"I have visited the home in the past and I know the owner Tom Balmer who runs a first-class facility and who will be devastated by this tragic incident."