Body found in fire shop
Man was spotted on CCTV before fire
A body has been found inside a fire-ravaged shop in Perth.
Police officers investigating the devastating blaze at St Catherine’s Retail Park on Saturday, August 24 have confirmed someone was inside one of the units at the time.
A body has been found inside a fire-ravaged shop in Perth.
Police officers investigating the devastating fire at St Catherine’s Retail Park on Saturday, August 24 have confirmed they have found a body.
The fire took hold of B&M, Pets at Home and an empty unit at the retail park in the early hours of the morning.
However, on Friday, almost a week after the fire, police officers said they believed there may be a body within the damaged units.
A man had been spotted entering the building on CCTV shortly before the fire started - however, there was no CCTV evidence the person had left the store. He had not been seen since the fire. Chief Inspector Ian Scott, area commander for Perth and Kinross, said those investigating the fire believe they know the identity of the body found within the shops.
Specialist officers are now providing support to the deceased’s family, however formal identification of the body is still to take place.
CI Scott said: “As communicated at the end of last week, our enquiries gave us reason to believe that there may be a person within the building.
“Our investigation into the fire has therefore been conducted with this possibility in mind.
“Formal identification of the body found has yet to take place, however, we believe that we know the identity of the individual, and specialist officers are providing support to their family at this time.
“The damage to the building is extensive and we are working closely with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and other partners to establish the full circumstances.
“We will maintain a police presence at the scene until the investigation is complete. This may take some time and I would like to thank the local and business community for their support.”
Some areas of the retail park will remain shut while the investigation continues, and while police work to make the area safe.
CI Scott added: “Some disruption in the immediate area is unavoidable while work is ongoing at the site, and there will be no pedestrian access between Glasgow Road and Morrison’s until the area has been made completely safe.
“We would like to thank local residents for their patience and understanding.”
A spokesperson for B&M said they would be unable to comment on a police matter, and added they are unable to say what will happen to the Perth store, as the premises have not been handed back from the police yet.
They added staff employed at the Perth store have been redeployed to other nearby stores, and are being supported by B&M’s HR staff.