The people of a Paisley community are today rallying to support their neighbours who have been left with “nothing” following a devastating fire.
All eight homes at 14 Belmont Road, Gallowhill were ravaged by flames when a fire broke out around 10.30pm. The fire started in a first-floor flat but quickly spread across the roofs of neighbouring properties.
Within an hour, the entire block was engulfed in flames. Residents who fled for their lives left only with the clothes on their backs. Tragically, 38-year-old Claire McFadyen has been named locally as the woman who died at the scene.
Neighbours and the wider community are determined to do all they can to help get residents impacted by the blaze back on their feet.
Renfrewshire Council, which owns all eight of the affected properties, also said it is doing all it can to support and rehome all those affected.
A collection of both money and clothes has been launched at the Costcutter on Netherhill Road.
Manger of the shop, Kirsteen Haughey, said she saw the level of devastation facing the householders when she raced to the scene on Thursday night.
“It’s absolutely heartbreaking for everyone,” she said. “I have never seen anything like it, it made me feel sick.
“To see that makes you grateful for what you’ve got and that you have a home to go home to. This is a good community and when something like this happens we all stick together.
“We have put buckets out and we will also be accepting clothes. We will get some more information out there about sizes and exactly what’s needed in the coming days.
“There were no children living in the flats so it’s only adults clothes that are needed.”
Locals had already donated clothes, toiletries and other household essentials during an ad hoc collection at Gallowhill Community Centre yesterday.
Officials at Renfrewshire Council are, meanwhile, working to house those whose homes have been destroyed by the fire.
A spokesperson for the local authority yesterday told the Paisley Daily Express: “We were alerted to a fire on Belmont Road in the Gallowhill area of Paisley by emergency services last night.
“Police Scotland has confirmed a 38-year-old woman has died and our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends.
“We are supporting the emergency services who remain on scene and our housing teams are supporting anyone needing accommodation.
“Anyone with information relating to the fire should call police on 101.”
Cash collections have also been established at the East End Tandoori and Paulo’s chip shop in Seedhill.
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