Loch Lomond hotel fire: Two people killed after blaze hits luxury resort

Two people have died after fire tore through a five-star hotel on the banks of Loch LomondPolice Scotland confirmed the deaths after the blaze broke out at the luxury Cameron House hotel in the early hours of Monday.

Three others were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation, but were later discharged.

More than 200 guests were evacuated from the hotel  - which was "extensively damaged" - while emergency services took control of the area.

Firefighters searched the building and tackled flames in the roof of the hotel from an aerial unit.

Police and fire officers are now investigating the cause of the fire.

Flames and smoke billow from the Cameron House Hotel on the banks of Loch Lomond
Flames lick the skyline above the Cameron House Hotel on the banks of Loch Lomond Credit: Phil Dye /Daily Record

Jim Slight, from Dalkeith in Midlothian, was staying at the hotel with his wife to celebrate his 57th birthday. He left the building by a fire door after the alarm sounded then walked along the front of the building, past the main entrance.

He said: “Smoke was billowing from the building. We could see two of the rooms were filled with smoke.  And just as we were passing the corner of the building we heard glass smashing above. 

"That's when three people came out on the balcony above. You could only see their heads because there was a stone balustrade around it.”

He said a fire engine arrived with a ladder and firefighters rescued two adults and a baby from the balcony, which he said had “started to get really thick smoke up there.”

The majority of evacuated guests were wearing their hotel bathrobes and were given blankets to keep warm. Mr Slight said the “consensus” among those watching the blaze was that it started around the reception area and he paid tribute to the “excellent” hotel staff.

Guest Ainsley Huxham told BBC Scotland: "As soon as we left our room - I just thought it was a fire alarm, just like a practise go. But when we left - five stairs down from our room - we saw a whole room full of smoke and flames.

"So we had to run back down the hall, chapped on everyone's doors and shouted 'fire!'. And by the time we had got outside, the whole field was full of people."

Much of the interior of the main central section of the hotel, thought to be the oldest part, was visibly blackened, with upper floor windows smashed to allow the firefighters' water jets access to the flames.

A police spokeswoman said: "Police Scotland can now confirm two people have died following a fire at the Cameron House Hotel earlier today, Monday 18 December 2017.

"Around 0650 hours, police were called to a report of a fire at the hotel. More than 200 guests were evacuated from the building which has been extensively damaged.

Cameron House Hotel 
Smoke pours from the luxury hotel on Monday morning Credit: Andrew Milligan /PA

A spokesman added: "Officers remain at the scene and are working with other emergency services to establish the exact circumstances of the incident.

"One person was pronounced dead at the scene. Four people were taken to hospital, one to the RAH who later died. A further three people were taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment.

"A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal."

Cameron House Hotel
Emergency services standing by to treat hotel staff and guests Credit: Andrew Milligan /PA

David McGown, the assistant chief officer of Scottish Fire and Rescue, confirmed that two hotel guests passed away as a result of the blaze. 

He said: "The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service received a call this morning at around 6.40am to a fire within Cameron House Hotel on the shores of Loch Lomond. 

"Unfortunately, and tragically, this has resulted in two people losing their life as a result of the fire. 

"The fire and rescue service's condolences go out to the people involved in this tragic incident and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of the two people who lost their lives this morning. 

"The fire has caused extensive damage to the central section of the hotel.  Our crews have been working tirelessly since 7am. We have 14 fire appliances at its height tackling this fire and more than 70 firefighters. 

"As you can imagine, as well as being an absolutely tragic incident where people have lost their lives, it is an extremely complicated incident and fire to contain and will continue to do so. 

"We will continue to work with partners to bring this incident to a conclusion.  But again, I reiterate that our thoughts and condolences very much are with the two people who have lost their lives this morning as a result of this fire." 

Andy Roger, the hotel's resort director, said: "The safety and well-being of our guests, employees and neighbours is our first priority, and our deepest condolences are with the families of those affected.

"We are working closely with the authorities to determine the cause of the fire, and to provide support to our guests and the families of those affected."

Cameron House Hotel
Cameron House Hotel is a landmark on the banks of Loch Lomond Credit: Andrew Milligan /PA

On its website, Cameron House said the fire was within the main building.

A message read: "We would ask all guests and customers to remain patient as we work with the emergency services to establish the extent of the damage and ascertain when we will be able to re-open."

Cameron House is one of Scotland's most luxurious hotels with views across Loch Lomond. On its Facebook page, the hotel said the fire was within the main building.

An 18th century Baronial mansion, it was converted into a luxury hotel and resort in 1986 after it was sold by the Smollett family, who held the property for three centuries.

The venue offers a romantic location for weddings, a championship standard course for golfers and five-star facilities for guests.

Chef Martin Wishart has a Michelin-starred restaurant at the hotel.

Cameron House Hotel
Cameron House Hotel is one of Scotland's most luxurious hotels Credit: Chris Watt for The Telegraph

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We received a call at 6.44am today to attend an incident at the Cameron House Hotel.

"We dispatched four ambulances, our special operations response team and the trauma team to the scene."

Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister, described the fire as "dreadful news" on Twitter:

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said officers carried out a search of the building, which has more than 130 bedrooms.

A spokesman said: "Operations Control has mobilised a total of 12 appliances to the scene.

"Firefighters are currently in the process of searching the building while fighting the fire using powerful water jets. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service remains in attendance."

Local MP Martin Docherty described the blaze as "dreadful news", while Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie said: "Devastating news about the fire at Cameron House. So terrible to hear of casualties at this time of year.

"Thanks to the emergency services who have been working all morning to get the fire under control."

Speaking on behalf of West Dunbartonshire Council, Provost William Hendrie said: "It is heart-breaking to hear that people have died as a result of the fire at Cameron House today. 

"The families of those who have sadly died in such tragic circumstances will need all of our support and I know that the thoughts of the people of West Dunbartonshire will be with them. For something like this to happen so close to Christmas is just too painful to comprehend.”

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