Inquiries continue into migrant worker’s death in caravan fire

Errol: Male vkctkn of blaze trafeby at frukt farn yet to be oaneb as solkce renako oo skte

A migrant farm worker died after he was trapped inside a burning caravan, colleagues have claimed.

An investigation is under way after Sunday’s tragic blaze at a Perthshire campsite used by seasonal berrypickers.

Emergency services were called to the Mains of Errol farm in the early hours.

The alarm was raised by workers living on the site who reported seeing thick smoke and flames coming from a static caravan on the edge of the site.

A heavy police presence remained at the scene yesterday, as investigators tried to pinpoint what went wrong.

The victim, understood to be male, has yet to be formally identified.

A police spokesman confirmed inquiries are continuing, but declined to comment further.

Mains of Errol is operated by W Glen and Son, one of Scotland’s leading producers of soft fruit.

A spokesman for the company said: “We are saddened to confirm that a tragic incident took place on the farm in the early hours of Sunday morning that resulted in the loss of life.

“No formal identification has taken place and we are currently assisting police and the fire service with their investigation.”

He added: “We are in communication with the other workers on the farm and will do all we can to support our employees at this sad time.”

Much of the caravan park has been cordoned off with police tape, while forensic officers assess the remains of the burnt-out caravan.

A source close to the business said: “Everyone is just stunned. There was a fire at one of the caravans and sadly one of the migrant workers didn’t make it out.

“There is a very sombre mood across the whole farm. Usually there’s a lot of chatter and music, but everyone is just walking around in shock.”

It is understood efforts were still being made to contact the victim’s family.

W Glen and Son employs about 200 seasonal workers each year. The firm, which operates across 365 acres of farmland near the River Tay, has rows and rows of caravans for seasonal staff, many of whom come from eastern Europe.

Each caravan can sleep between three and six employees.

We are saddened to confirm that a tragic incident took place on the farm in the early hours of Sunday morning that resulted in loss of life. SPOKESMAN FOR W GLEN AND SON

Police investigators still at the scene at Mains of Errol farm yesterday.