First Minister vows to learn lessons from fatal hotel fire

SCOTLAND’S FIRST Minister has said any lessons will be learned from the investigation into a fatal fire at a luxury hotel.

Nicola Sturgeon gave the assurance in the wake of the blaze at the five-star Cameron House Hotel on the banks of Loch Lomond on Monday.

Guests Simon Midgley, 32, and Richard Dyson, 38, from London, died in the fire while a family of two adults and a child were rescued by ladder.

Local Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie was reduced to tears as she raised the tragedy in the Holyrood chamber during First Minister’s Questions. Ms Baillie sent her condolences to the families of Mr Midgley and Mr Dyson and praised the emergency services for their actions.

She said: “The investigation has yet to start because the building needs to be made safe, but can I ask the First Minister, when the investigation is complete, will she ensure that lessons are learned, whether that’s in practice or if there is indeed a need to enhance building standards regulations?”

Ms Sturgeon responded: “I want today to convey my deepest condolences to the families of the two young men who died and send my thoughts to all of those who were affected by this tragedy.

“This horrific event demonstrates once again how our firefighters so willingly put themselves in the line of danger to assist others on a daily basis.”