DEATH BLAZE
Woman’s body found in house after emergency services rushed to scene
A woman died in a Blantyre house fire that saw the building’s roof collapse.
Police confirmed the body of a 59-year-old female was recovered from the property on Heathcliffe Avenue on Friday, July 10.
Emergency services rushed to the incident shortly after 2am and remained there throughout the day, extinguishing the fire and securing the area as neighbours were evacuated.
The family of the woman who lost her life in the blaze have been informed.
Four families were directly affected by the fire and have been forced to stay with relatives because of the damage to their homes.
A joint investigation between Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has found the cause of the fire is not suspicious.
Meanwhile, councillors, neighbours and the Blantyre community have rallied round to help the woman’s family, and those affected by the tragedy, by launching a fundraiser to support them at this time.
The body of a 59-year-old woman was found at the scene of a house fire in Blantyre on Friday, July 10.
Police have confirmed the body was recovered from a property in Heathcliffe Avenue after the blaze destroyed the building’s roof, causing it to collapse.
Emergency services rushed to the incident shortly after 2am and remained throughout the day extinguishing the fire and securing the area as neighbours and nearby residents were evacuated.
Alan Fairbairn, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Local Senior Officer for South Lanarkshire, said: “We were alerted at 2.12am on Friday, July 10, to reports of a house fire in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire.
“Operations Control mobilised four appliances to the town’s Heathcliffe Avenue, where crews were met by an incident involving a partial structure collapse.
“Firefighters extinguished the fire and worked to make the area safe.
“Sadly, a woman was found to have passed away at the scene. Our thoughts are with all of those affected.”
The family of the woman have been informed.
Four families in total were affected by the blaze and have all now moved to live with relatives due to the damage caused to their homes.
Local councillors have rallied in a fundraising bid to support them following the impact of the traumatising incident.
Blantyre councillor Mo Razzaq started a Justgiving page which has already raised over £1000. He told the Advertiser: “The amount of damage caused will cost a huge amount of money to replace everything. The families will need more than that, but hopefully it gives them a start.
“It’s a very close community, whenever there has been a tragedy everybody comes forward to help.
"We may have our issues but the community at a time of crisis sticks together and helps the people out, and I’m hoping that will be the case again, and so far the response has been really good.
“The money raised will help with immediate needs and contents lost from the fire. In some cases, insurance won’t cover everything so they will have more needs.
"The money we raise might only be a small drop in what they need but we hope to give them a start at least. It’s also a way for the community to help, which they’re keen to do.
"We had a lot of messages of support from people wanting to get involved and get some sort of fundraising organised.
“I’d like to commend and thank the people that tried to help in the fire, and also the neighbours and friends that rallied round the families as well. It’s fantastic knowing that when there’s a tragedy there’s people there that help out, and that’s what they did.
"People came round and offered any assistance they could give and offered to take in those involved.”
Councillor Bert Thomson also passed on his condolences. He said: “I would just like to say how shocked and saddened to hear of the house fire in Coatshill, Blantyre. Tragically, a life was lost. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. I am sure there will be a further investigation and the cause of the fire will become clear.”
Councillor Maureen Chalmers added: “It’s so sad. I feel deeply for the family, friends and neighbours as I know it was very traumatic incident for people in the area. My thoughts are with everyone affected.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were made aware of a fire within a property on Heathcliffe Avenue, Blantyre, around 2.20am on Friday, 10 July, 2020.
“The body of a 59-year-old woman was found at the scene.
“A joint investigation between Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has found the cause of the fire is not suspicious.
“A report will be sent to the
Procurator Fiscal.”
If you would like to support those affected by the fire, you can donate at www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/shahid-razzaq-2