LODD – Edinburgh, Scotland

Updated. FF identified and more video added. Scroll down.

A FIREFIGHTER FROM THE LOTHIAN AND BORDERS FIRE SERVICE perished early Sunday morning while fighting a fire in an Edinburgh pub.

The Balmoral Pub was closed when the alarm was sounded shortly after midnight, but on arrival the first units encountered a severe rescue challenge with over 20 people trapped in apartments located on the upper floors.

scotland-b-deadline-press-picture-agency

The Balmoral Pub
(Deadline Press & Picture Agency)

All of them were rescued successfully by ladders while a hose company made it into the pub after sawing through the protective bars on the door. The fire was in the basement and once inside the two initial FF’s fell through when the floor collapsed from under them. One of the FF’s died in the basement and the other was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.

70 firefighters from 16 companies were at the fire.

The Press Association has this early video report:

Update, 2 pm:
The firefighter has been identified as 35-yr.-old Ewan Williamson.

The Lothian and Borders Fire Chief Brian Alloway describes the fire in this BBC News video:

The Deadline Press & Picture Agency has a good, complete report HERE.

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Richard Kirrstetter

When a Brother dies in the line of duty it is a severe loss especially to the family. My heart and prayers go out to the family. The loss is also felt in the Firefighting world which is a close knit family.

Our Brother has answered his last alarm peace be with you my Brother.

On behalf of Ladder 33 FDNY, & Lansing NC Fire & Rescue, our thoughts & prayers are with the family & his Brother Firefighters.

Richard Kirrstetter
Retired FDNY Ladder 33
Safety Chief Lansing Fire & Rescue Dept.

tom

My prays are with the family of are Falling brother firefighter R.I.P brother

Charles Emerson

Condolences to the family of the deceased and to the Brothers of The Lothian and Borders Fire Service.

Firefighters operating on the floor above a basement / cellar fire and subsequently falling through the floor into the fire below is all too common. We must always be vigilant when determining the location of a fire before deciding where to commit firefighters for initial attack and rescue operations. Use of thermal imagers during initial size up can be very useful.

Rest in peace Brother ...