Local MSP John Swinney believes it is “vital” that “every inquiry” available is undertaken into the cause of the fatal New County Hotel fire following serious concerns raised by recent guests.
Three people and a dog died after a fire broke out in the second floor of the County Place building in Perth city centre at 5am on Monday.
A further 11 people were treated for minor injuries.
Police confirmed the deaths on Monday afternoon and have since released no further information about the guests or the circumstances of the fire.
But claims from guests who stayed at the hotel in the last month flag up concerns about the condition of the venue and issues with electrics and plug sockets.
Perthshire North representative and Deputy First Minister Mr Swinney said: “I think there is information emerging now about concerns that have been raised and I think that adds to the importance of their being a full, thorough and transparent investigation into all of the circumstances that have led to this tragedy.’’
According to an online review on Booking.com, one hotel guest in December refused to stay overnight.
The person under the name “Hughes” wrote an online review on December 29: “We walked out and refused to stay due to no hot water, no electric sockets working.
“The staff could give us no guarantee of the electrics being repaired. On arrival we were informed the fire service had just dealt with an electrical fire.”
Eight TripAdvisor guests gave the establishment one out of five on the site between November and December.
One review included an image of plug sockets hanging loose from a wall.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said they would not comment on the claims about the earlier fire.
Mr Swinney said: “We live in a country where fire death is relatively limited and rare.
“So when it happens it is all together very shocking.
“That is the case here where none of us could ever imagine that such circumstances would happen within our own community.
“I express my deepest condolences and sympathies with those affected by the events of Monday morning.”
A joint investigation between Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is currently underway.
The blaze in the early hours of Monday morning could lead to a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI), if deemed necessary by the Lord Advocate Rt Hon Dorothy Bain.
Mr Swinney added: “The decision on whether a FAI should be held is one for the Lord Advocate to take independently of Scottish minsters.
“So it is obviously for the Lord Advocate to consider the report that comes to the Crown Office from Police Scotland.”
He added: “As a society we put in place many measures to reduce fire deaths and provide the greatest assurance on public safety.
“I think members of the public choosing to stay in any hotel should be entitled to believe that the regulatory environment required in Scotland is being fully applied.
“That is a fundamental point.
“I think we have got to work at all times to make sure those regulations remain appropriate and effective and are being applied in all circumstances.
“Where we have had this tragedy in the heart of the city of Perth, it is vital that every inquiry is undertaken to ensure what has happened here, and whether there are any issues that have to be learned from the experience of this tragic set of circumstances.”
Commending the work of the police, fire service and other organisations, he said: “I think it is clear that an enormous emergency service response was mobilised instantaneously and as a consequence many other individuals were able to be supported to safety.
“I commend the emergency services for the swiftness of their response.
“All agencies have worked together to support the individuals affected and I want to express my thanks to the emergency services, to the staff of Perth and Kinross Council and a variety of other hotels and organisations within the city who have provided support, accommodation and assistance for those affected by this tragedy.”
Perth and Kinross Council confirmed it did not have anyone placed in temporary accommodation in the hotel, in the aftermath of the fire.
The local authority said on Thursday it had helped 12 households - displaced by the blaze - with advice and temporary accommodation since.
Rashid Hussain, director of Perth Hospitality - which owns the hotel - and hotel management have not responded to requests for comment.
