Fears raised about Colin before death
Victim dies after horrror flat blaze
Council bosses face criticism after a tragic dad perished following a high rise tower blaze in ayr.
Colin Brown, 59, who was in a coma, died in hospital, after suffering serious burns from a fire in his Riverside Place flat.
But before the blaze concerns were raised with South Ayrshire Council that Colin was not fit to live alone, the Post has learned.
A number of residents told the Post Colin should never have been housed in the block.
There were worries that there could have been accident in his flat because he suffered from health problems.
It is believed the fears were voiced to council staff and complaints have been made.
But South Ayrshire Council refused to reveal if any action was being taken after his death. A fire engulfed Colin’s fifth floor flat in Burns Court on Monday, September, 25.
Forty seven people were evacuated from the tower block and five fire engines raced to the scene just after midnight.
Colin was carried downstairs by firefighters and was raced to Glasgow Royal Infirmary by ambulance where he was rushed to intensive care. Fire crews wearing oxygen masks tackled the blaze, which was believed to have started in Colin’s flat.
The cause of the fire was not thought to be suspicious, police confirmed during initial investigations.
Colin’s condition was described as critical at the time of the fire. Tragically his condition deteriorated during his fight for life in hospital.
Claims have been made that the fire could have been prevented.
A family friend told the Post the council were told Colin was “at risk of setting the place alight as he took seizures a lot.”
He said if the council had listened “the fire would not have happened.”
An automatic sprinkler system stopped the fire from spreading but left four flats flooded. Residents whose homes were damaged by water were forced to stay in the Mercure Hotel.
Council housing boss David Burns said: “We will always work closely with our tenants to identify and resolve any issues. At the Riverside flats there are regular meetings where tenants can voice any concerns and there is also a caretaker who can take action as appropriate. Our sympathies are with Mr Brown’s family and friends.”
We will always work with our tenants to identify and resolve any issues David Burns