Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
TRIBUTES TO MISSING MAN
Tears for John after house explosion
Tributes have been paid to an Airdrie man whose home was destroyed following an explosion during the early hours of Saturday morning.
John McGuigan’s Ewart Drive property erupted in flames and partially collapsed following the blast which occurred shortly after 3am. In the aftermath of the explosion, relatives and friends of 39-year-old Mr McGuigan pleaded with him to get in touch. A body was recovered from the property by emergency services but a formal identification has yet to take place. Police say there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances. Occupants of eight neighbouring properties were evacuated from their homes.
Firefighters and police have been working round the clock to ensure the remains of the property are made safe.
Scores of tributes have been posted on social media to Mr McGuigan, known to friends as “Bulb”.
One person died following a house fire tragedy in Cairnhill in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Emergency services were called to Ewart Drive just after 3am on June 27 following reports of an “explosion” at the property, which resulted in its partial collapse.
Police later confirmed that a body was found at the house, and say there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances. A formal identification of the deceased person is still to be made.
The news emerged after friends and relatives revealed they were searching for John McGuigan, who lived in the property – with hundreds of messages being posted online.
Scores of tributes were posted on social media by friends of the popular 39-year-old, who was known as “Bulb”.
Barry Wightman said: “Can’t believe this, absolute gem of a guy”, and Nicola Geddes said: “What a gentleman you were, Bulb, will never forget the good times we all had.”
Laura Campbell posted: “Really heartbroken at this news, lots of great memories from school. My thoughts and prayers are with all your family and friends, of which there seem to be so many.”
Graeme Crossan posted of their shared first day at work: “Doesn’t seem that long ago we both walked in together not knowing what was going to happen; you being you, everybody knew you that day. Still can’t believe this has happened.”
Stephen Donnelly said: “I will miss you and your big smile,” and Cheryl Easton described John as “one of life’s good guys”.
Residents in eight nearby homes in the Cairnhill street were evacuated as a precaution following the blaze which destroyed the property.
Six fire crews raced to the scene, along with specialist equipment, as they fought to contain the fire.
DS Mark Nelson of Coatbridge CID said: “A joint investigation with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to establish the cause of the fire is still ongoing.
“At this stage there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances.
“Emergency services are also continuing efforts to ensure the safety of the damaged house and the surrounding properties.”
Stephen Wright, who is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service local senior officer for North Lanarkshire, said: “We were alerted at 3.08am on Saturday to reports of a dwelling fire in Airdrie.
“Operations control mobilised six appliances and a number of specialist resources to Ewart Drive, where firefighters extinguished the fire.
“The building suffered a partial collapse and firefighters contacted North Lanarkshire Council’s building control team to help maintain the area.
“Sadly, a person was found to have passed away following this incident.
“Our thoughts are with all of those affected at this time.
“A joint investigation between ourselves and Police Scotland is now underway.”