Cameron House Hotel

– in the Scottish Parliament at on 21 December 2017.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Jackie Baillie Jackie Baillie Labour

The First Minister will be aware of the tragic fire at the Cameron House hotel earlier this week. I am sure that she will join me in sending condolences to the families who lost loved ones and in praising our emergency services—the firefighters, police officers and paramedics—who attended, as well as the staff who played a critical role in evacuating the building.

The investigation has yet to start, because the building needs to be made safe, but when it has been completed, will the First Minister ensure that lessons are learned either in practice or, if there is a need, by enhancing building standards regulations?

Photo of Nicola Sturgeon Nicola Sturgeon Scottish National Party

I thank Jackie Baillie for asking that question and raising an issue that is in all of our minds this week. The tragic fire at Cameron House hotel on the morning of 19 December sadly claimed the lives of two young men, and I convey my deepest condolences to their families and send my thoughts to all those people who have been affected by the tragedy.

The horrific event demonstrates once again how our firefighters so willingly put themselves in the line of danger to assist others on a daily basis, and I know that everyone in the chamber will want to send our grateful thanks to our firefighters and to all the members of our emergency services who responded.

Of course, there will be a thorough investigation into what happened at Cameron House hotel, and it is important that that investigation is allowed to run its course. However, I can give an assurance that the Scottish Government, with our partners—and, indeed, with the owners of the hotel—will make sure that any lessons that emerge from the investigation are learned and fully applied. For now, all of us in the chamber will want to send our thoughts and our condolences to everyone who has been affected by the tragedy. [

Applause

.]