Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
LAST UPDATE | 2 Jan 2023
AN INVESTIGATION IS under way after three people and a dog died following an early-morning blaze at a hotel in Perth and Kinross.
Emergency services were called to the New County Hotel in Perth just after 5am this morning.
Police Scotland said that three people were confirmed dead at the scene.
At its height, more than 60 firefighters were involved in tackling the blaze, which the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service described as a “very complex incident”.
We can confirm that three people have died following a fire at the New County Hotel, County Place, Perth.
— Tayside Police (@TaysidePolice) January 2, 2023
Officers are conducting a joint investigation with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
People are asked to avoid the area.
More: https://t.co/8kaVFdQQ9z pic.twitter.com/Su0uNUYuV9
Guests were evacuated from the hotel, as were two people staying in a neighbouring block of flats.
Eleven people were treated at the scene but did not need hospital treatment.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney described the fatalities as “heartbreaking news”.
Swinney, MSP for Perthshire North, tweeted: “My sympathies with all affected by this tragedy.”
Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have launched a joint investigation into the incident.
Chief Superintendent Phil Davison said: “Our thoughts are very much with the families and loved ones of those who have died at what is a very difficult time for everyone.
“Our inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of what has happened and officers are conducting a joint investigation with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.”
Police Scotland said officers were called to the hotel in County Place shortly before 5.10am.
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 was a very complex incident where tragically three people were pronounced dead at the scene.
“Our thoughts are very much with the immediate family and friends at this difficult time.
“Our firefighters worked extremely hard in a very complex and challenging environment to prevent the further spread of fire and damage where possible.
“At its height, we had nine fire appliances in attendance with over 60 firefighters.
“We’re currently still in attendance to make sure the scene is safe. I would like to thank our crews and our other emergency partners and local authority for their support.
“Our firefighters and community action teams have and will continue to engage to ensure safety in this area and we will continue to work closely with stakeholders and Police Scotland in any subsequent investigation.”
Roads surrounding the hotel were closed off with members of the public asked to avoid the area.
A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We received a call from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service of a fire at the New County Hotel in Perth at 05:05hrs.
“We dispatched 21 resources, including our Special Operations Team, and attended to 14 casualties. Eleven patients did not require hospitalisation, but sadly three patients died at the scene.
“Our thoughts remain with those who have been affected by this incident.”
People in the area have been left shocked by what happened.
Zeak Muhammad, from Glasgow, who has been visiting people in the area with a friend, said: “It’s a shame, we’ve been here for five days and we couldn’t believe it, it’s absolutely shocking, seemed like such a nice hotel as well.
“You never expect anything like that to happen. My thoughts are with their family.
“I’m really shocked, we saw all the roads closed early and had no idea what had happened until someone told us.”
One 37-year-old woman, who did not wish to be named, said: “I’m really shocked – it’s really shocking.
“We’ve lived around here for a long time and nothing like this has ever happened, it’s a real tragedy for everyone involved.
“We live just around the corner from here and could see the flames earlier on.”
Local MP Pete Wishart said the fire was “simply awful news at the beginning of the year when so many people are out celebrating”.
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 make it out and would be accounted for. This is the last thing that anybody expected.
“I know the people of Perth will be devastated by this news and would like to extend their deepest sympathies to those affected by this tragedy.
“Can I also thank the emergency services who attended the scene in such numbers.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Read that as Meth lab at first
He’s had enough Meth by the look of him
He wouldn’t be the first politician to tell an untruth.
Ah hahahahaha
So now that he got his lab, he goes back to supporting the blueshirts?
Some socialist Halligan is.
@T Beckett is back:
John has to get re-elected, it just proves the independents are as bad, remember he got the lab he gets the glory
Forget about the rest of the hospitals in the country…. one trick politician .. groucho marx lookalike.
I doubt that any of the patients who benefit from this, will be very worried about who he looks like.
@Patrick j Brady:
I beg your pardon.
Mediterranean Playboy look.
Good description Alex. .
A mobile cath lab??? Is this a couple of polish plumbers in the back of a van?…
Build an actual one instead of paying huge money to a private company
Well done John.
Of course political considerations outside The Pale are an alien concept to some people but the Déise salutes you.
Alex
No they don’t for a half baked solution
@Alex Falcone: John is that you?
Well said Alex great his hard work has resulted in a 2nd Cath lab and well needed. Without him going on about it we wouldn’t have got it so well done John keep up the good work.
Didnt the report say another Catherine lab wasn’t needed . Didn’t the HSE , Simon Harris say one wasn’t needed. Now a mobile one is needed?
Cath lab
The report was flawed. It underestimated the population of the region and the government know it.
He knows we wont be.bought that easy. Not good enough.
I need to see the way this contract has been written, the exact wording & timeline
Super Mario is looking old…
Or one of the Harry Enfield scousers
Edna will give anything to stay in power.
Halligan sold his soul for a Lab ,always will be remembered as a turncoat
So it’s both secure and mobile at the same time, ideal.
It’s been bought in to address the waiting list.
The much bigger issue however is…..
The need to travel to Cork in an emergency when the Cath lab is not operating (after 5 pm on week days and no service AT ALL at weekends) has implications for patient outcomes.
It’s unbelievable to plan to have a journey time that’s on the limit of the recommended time limit (90 mins) for arrival at Cath lab in emergency heart attack scenarios.
That Waterford to Cork trip by road is not a journey someone should be advocating as best practice for someone whose had a heart attack.
Helicopter is needed but very expensive .
It needs to be remembered that Waterford is actually a city not some tiny Kilgarvan type village
He barks like a Wolfhound but has a bite of a Yorkie, he just keeps backing down & afraid to upset the apple cart!
He’s not a very honest man, Remember water.
Gombeen
They might consider making the current cath lab bigger first. They one they have is tiny…. You wouldn’t swing a cat in it
have your say