Man (31) in court over fire at Hamilton flats

Oct 29 2009 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

A 31-year-old man appeared in court yesterday (Wednesday) after a blaze at block of flats in Hamilton.

Easdale Campbell appeared on petition at Hamilton Sheriff Court.

Campbell, of Hamilton, was accused of attempted murder following the blaze at 39 George Court on Sunday night.

He made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody.

Campbell will make a second appearance in court within the next eight days.

Police and fire services launched their enquiries after six people, including a six-week old baby, had to be rescued after fire ripped through the four-storey mid-terrace flats at 36-43 George Court, Burnbank.

Two fire appliances from Hamilton raced to the scene, where they found a first-floor flat at 39 George Court well alight on Sunday at 9.45pm

Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and using a hosereel jet tackled the ferocious blaze.

Firefighters used ladders to rescue the baby from the top-floor flat.

The baby was taken out the window by firefighters and down the ladders to safety.

Residents said the baby was laid on the grass and given oxygen by paramedics. The baby’s mother, who is Russian, had also to be given oxygen.

Mother and baby were taken by ambulance to Wishaw General Hospital where they were treated for smoke inhalation before being released.

Two other women were taken to hospital, one to Wishaw General and the other to Hairmyres in East Kilbride.

Two men who were rescued by firefighters refused to attend hospital.

Tenants spent the night in alternative accommodation before being allowed back into their homes the following evening.

Richard McCartney (38), who has lived in the flats since May, said he feels lucky to be alive.

“I thought I was going to die,” he said. “I was going to jump out the window. “I saw the firefighters getting a baby and old women out.

“I shouted to them ‘I am just going to jump as I am not going to die from smoke inhalation’. I didn’t want to die that way. I thought I’d had it.”

Another tenant, Colin Hamilton (41), said: “I was about to jump out the window when the Fire Brigade appeared. I couldn’t get out because the stairwell was full of smoke.”

Eyewitness Kevin McMahon (39), who has lived in nearby Burnbank Gardens for the past five years, said: “The flames were as high as the building.

“There was a lassie standing outside. At first, she looked like she was a neighbour and watching what was going on, but her clothes were burned at the back.

“I realised that something was wrong as she was shaking. Her back was burnt and so was the back of head. She was screaming that her face was hurting.

“The flames in the living room were intense and the smoke was belching out of the kitchen and the back windows.”

Lyndsey Kelly (25), who lives in the flats, slammed South Lanarkshire Council for asking tenants to return to their properties before the flats were properly cleaned, saying: “I think it is a complete disgrace that they are asking people to move back in given the condition the flats are in.

“They moved us out because there was a massive fire and now they are moving us back in again.

“There are no lights in the close and the whole place is smelling of smoke.

“The close needs repainted.

“The should have kept us in temporary accommodation until the flats are ready for us.

“I feel it is a kick in the teeth.”

A council spokeswoman said: “Five families were provided with temporary accommodation by the council following the fire at 39 George Court on Sunday.

“With the exception of the property where the fire started, which requires a full inspection to establish the scale of the work, all the other families have been returned to their homes following necessary checks.”

A Strathclyde Fire and Rescue spokesman said they will work closely with the police to determine the cause of the fire.”