The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Tributes paid to men who died in hotel fire
Sadness following deaths, and bravery of fire crews recognised
Two men who died following a fire that tore through a luxury hotel have been named.
Simon Midgley and Richard Dyson, believed to be from London, were guests at Cameron House Hotel on the banks of Loch Lomond when flames took hold on Monday.
More than 70 firefighters fought the blaze at the five-star resort where crews remained yesterday.
One man died at the scene and another passed away at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.
Three other people – a family of two adults and a child – were rescued by ladder and taken to hospital in Glasgow but have since been discharged. Police Scotland have not confirmed the identities of those who died but tributes have been paid online.
Mr Midgley’s sister posted a picture of her brother and his partner on Facebook, while Stephen Midgley wrote: “My cousin and his partner. I’m beyond heartbroken. Xxx.”
Kate Baxter wrote on Twitter: “Such unbearably sad news.. RIP @SimonMidgleyPR, a shining star in our wonderfully close-knit industry.”
Mr Midgley had posted pictures from around Glasgow on social media over the weekend and on Sunday added an image of Cameron House to Instagram with the comment “home for the weekend!”
According to his Facebook page, Mr Midgley was a freelance journalist at the London Evening Standard and ran his own PR company, while Mr Dyson is believed to be a TV producer.
More than 200 guests were evacuated from the hotel while emergency services dealt with the incident after the alarm was raised at 6.40am.
Andy Roger, resort director for the hotel, paid tribute to the crews.
He said: “The very swift actions of the emergency services undoubtedly prevented further tragedy and I cannot begin to thank them for their bravery, compassion and professionalism.
“Everyone associated with Cameron House Hotel is still coming to terms with the events of yesterday and we are all hugely conscious that two people tragically lost their lives in the fire.
“Their families and friends are foremost in our thoughts as we cooperate fully with the investigation teams to try to establish the circumstances surrounding this terrible incident.
“The emergency services were on the scene long into the night and I cannot praise their efforts highly enough.
“They are true heroes. The firemen bringing out a couple and their young child by ladder from a second-floor room was a heart-stopping moment for all those who witnessed it.”
Police and the fire service are investigating the cause of the fire.