Three people and a dog die in Perth hotel blaze: Guests ‘lucky to be alive’ after fleeing building
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Guests who fled a hotel fire that tragically killed three people and a dog say they are “lucky to be alive.”
Terrified guests say they were “running under hot coals” while escaping a fire at the New County Three Star Hotel, County Place, Perth, sHortly before 5:10 am today.
Emergency services rushed to the scene after the building caught fire, with more than 60 firefighters battling the flames and neighboring buildings evacuated.
Sadly, three people were confirmed to have died at the scene, and ambulance crews treated another 11 people for minor injuries, with some people having to be carried on stretchers, according to a witness.
Dramatic photos of the place of the fire that has left three dead
A guest staying at the hotel who gave her name as Barbara said sky news that she felt ‘lucky to make it out alive’ after escaping the fire.
Barbara and her husband had been staying in a room just above where the fire broke out; she said they woke up to the sound of alarms and just dropped everything and ran.
“When we got to the front door, you could see burning embers falling to the ground. We ran as fast as we could, hoping nothing would fall on us.
“We didn’t realize how close we were to where the fire started, we really are lucky to make it out alive.
“Once we got out into the street we could see how bad it really was, we stood there and watched as the emergency services took people out on stretchers and treated them, the people on the second floor were in particularly bad shape.” ‘
She said it had been a traumatic day for her and her husband.
Giving a statement near the scene in Perth, Jason Sharp, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service area commander for Perth, Kinross, Angus and Dundee, said this afternoon: “This was a very complex incident in which tragically three people They were pronounced dead at the scene.”
‘Our thoughts are very much with immediate family and friends at this difficult time.
A fire broke out in a hotel in Perth, Scotland, at dawn
Police have been seen standing by outside the hotel on Monday night.
The roads were blocked by the emergency services who rushed to the scene this morning.
Emergency services were called to reports of a fire shortly before 5.10am today.
‘Our firefighters worked very hard in a very complex and challenging environment to prevent further fire spread and damage as much as possible.
‘At its height, we had nine fire apparatuses present with over 60 firefighters.
‘We are currently still present to make sure the scene is safe. I would like to thank our teams and our other emergency partners and the local authorities for their support.
“Our fire and community action teams have been and will continue to be engaged to ensure safety in this area and we will continue to work closely with stakeholders and Police Scotland on any further investigation.”
Deputy Prime Minister John Swinney described the deaths as “heartbreaking news”.
Swinney, the Perthshire North MSP, tweeted: “My condolences to all affected by this tragedy.”
Douglas Ross, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, tweeted: “Absolutely appalling to hear about the Perth hotel fire which claimed the lives of three people.” What a tragic start to 2023.
‘My thoughts are with the loved ones of those who have died.
“As always, thanks to our emergency services for their quick response in tragic circumstances.”
Smoke and fire damage to windows of the New County Hotel in Perth
Hotel guests and two people from a neighboring block of flats were evacuated and are being treated.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said it had dispatched nine trucks to the scene after the alarm was raised.
Zeak Muhammad, from Glasgow, who has been visiting people in the area with a friend, said he was appalled by what happened.
Speaking close to the scene in Perth, he said: “It’s a shame, we’ve been here for five days and we couldn’t believe it, it’s absolutely shocking, it looked like such a nice hotel too.”
‘You never expect something like this to happen. My thoughts are with his family.
“I’m really shocked, we saw all the roads closed early and we had no idea what had happened until someone told us.”
Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Phil Davison said investigations are at an early stage and no further details of those involved will be released at this time.
He said 11 people received treatment at the scene but did not need to go to the hospital.
The police officer said: “I would like to thank the police officers, firefighters and ambulance personnel who responded to this incident this morning for their professionalism in response and our partner agencies for the support that is being provided.”
“I would ask the local community for patience as local roads may remain closed for some time.”
“Our thoughts are very much with the families and loved ones of those who have died and those affected by this incident, which is clearly a very difficult time for everyone,” he added.
“Investigations are now ongoing to establish the full set of circumstances of what happened this morning and our officers are working closely on a joint investigation with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.”
Local MP Pete Wishart said the fire was “just awful news at the start of the year when so many people were celebrating.”
11 people were treated by paramedics at the scene but did not need to go to the hospital
Firefighters continue to work outside the hotel after three people died in a fire at dawn
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said it had dispatched nine trucks to the scene.
Road cuts are maintained in the area while the emergency services attend to the accident
Wishart, who represents Perth and North Perthshire, added: “My thoughts are firmly with the families and friends of the victims.
‘When the news broke, we all hoped that everyone would be able to come out and be recognized. This is the last thing anyone expected.
“I know the people of Perth will be devastated by this news and I would like to extend my deepest condolences to those affected by this tragedy.
‘Can I also thank the emergency services who attended the scene in such numbers?’
A police cordon has been established and members of the public are asked to avoid the area.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said it had dispatched nine trucks to the scene after the alarm was raised.
An SFRS spokesperson said: “We are currently present together with emergency service partners at a fire in a commercial building on County Place in Perth.”
Scottish Police Chief Superintendent Phil Davison (left) and Area Commander Jason Sharp, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for Perth, Kinross, Angus and Dundee speaking to the media
The New County Hotel, which was open to the public, has a 3.5 “very good” rating on Tripadvisor
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “We received a call from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service about a fire at the New County Hotel in Perth at 05:05.
“We responded with 21 resources, including our special operations resource team, with our first resource on scene at 05:12 hrs.”
Eric Drysdale, a Perth city center councillor, previously wrote on Facebook: “Please note this is a very serious incident.” My thanks to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland for their response to this fire.
‘All announcements about any confirmed casualties will be made by the emergency services. Please avoid the area today.
Hospital Street, County Place, Leonard Street and New Row have been closed.
The New County Hotel, which was open to the public, has a 3.5 “very good” rating on Tripadvisor.