Father, 45, dies as his wife and son saved from blaze
A FATHer has died after a blaze ripped through his home.
Fire crews in breathing apparatus brought Colin Davies, 45, his wife Catherine, 42, and their son, Joel, 11, out of the burning building.
However, it was later confirmed Mr Davies did not survive the fire that destroyed the semi-detached house in Milngavie, Dunbartonshire, in the early hours of Sunday.
Mrs Davies were taken to Glasgow’s Queen elizabeth University Hospital where she was last night said to be in a stable condition. Her son escaped serious injury.
The property at the end of a quiet sidestreet is now just a shell.
with Mrs Davies and her son left homeless and all their possessions destroyed, local residents have started an online fundraising appeal to help them.
Family and neighbours have told of their shock at what happened and paid tribute to Mr Davies.
His cousin, Marge Caldwellwilson, who emigrated from Glasgow to the US and works in Trenton, New Jersey, described him as a ‘caring and kind person’. She said: ‘I’m still waiting to hear from the family to see how his wife and son are doing. I’m waiting to see when I can get a plane ticket and come over there.
‘Colin worked for the community and he was a wonderful father and husband. His wife Catherine had MS and he would take good care of her.
‘He was very kind. My heart is broken right now. Colin was an exemplary role model for anybody as far as being a father and husband is concerned.’
A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: ‘I’m completely devastated by what’s happened. They’re extremely nice people and the perfect neighbours.’
Another neighbour, who also did not want to be named, was woken up as firefighters tackled the blaze. She said: ‘I can’t even imagine how they’ll attempt to get through this. Losing your home is one thing but to lose the father of your child doesn’t bear thinking about. I’m still quite shaken up. It’s such a horrendous thing to happen. My heart goes out to them.’
Mr Davies’ brother, Alan Davies, from Hereford, wrote on social media: ‘Please say a
‘Completely devastated’
prayer for my brother Colin. He passed away in a house fire.
‘I will miss him a lot, such a nice guy. My heart goes out to his son and wife.’
The fundraising page dedicated to the family has already seen more than £1,000 donated.
A description on the page says: ‘we are looking to raise money for Catherine and Joel from Mains estate, Milngavie, who have lost everything in a tragic house fire, including a beloved husband and father who will be sadly missed by us all.
‘The money raised will help go towards clothing and necessities needed, this will help rebuild from what has been damaged and lost.’
The cause of the blaze is being investigated, though it is not thought to be suspicious. A Scottish Fire and rescue Service spokesman said three fire engines were sent to the scene after the alarm was raised around 1.55am on Sunday and were confronted with an ‘already well-developed fire’.
‘with reports people were inside the property, teams in breathing apparatus were sent in to conduct a search and rescue operation,’ he said.
‘The firefighters removed a man, a woman and a boy from the building and passed them to the care of the ambulance service, but sadly it was later confirmed that the man did not survive.’
He added: ‘Specialist officers from the Fire Investigation Unit attended the scene and will work with police to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.’