Friends of the 38-year-old woman killed in a house fire in Paisley have paid tribute to her as an investigation into the fire continues.
Claire McFadyen died after a fire took hold in her upstairs flat on Belmont Road in the Renfrewshire town's close-knit Gallowhill estate. Emergency services rushed to the street at around 10.45pm on Thursday April 11 and battled overnight to contain the flames.
Tragically, Claire was pronounced dead at the scene of the blaze, which burned until around 7am after spreading across the roof of the block of flats and consuming upstairs dwellings. Fire crews continued dampening down the smouldering remains of the building until mid-morning on Friday.
Pals have posted heartfelt tributes to the mum on social media. Christina Adamson wrote on Friday: "Is this real?
"Goodbye my friend. We had our moments but we always made up. I’m so glad we spoke last night, you were in such a good mood. Go be free."
Claire's cousin Stuart McFadyen said: "Born a few days apart (you being first out) our mothers sharing the same maternity ward, both raised like brother and sister our bond ran deep and that would never ever change. We somehow always found our way back to each other.
"You’ve finally found peace and can be with your dad. Rest in peace cuz."
Jennifer Johnston said: "R.I.P Claire McFadyen. Been thinking how to word this all day and can’t find the words.
"Absolutely shocked and saddened when I woke up to the news this morning. Sleep tight Claire."
A fundraiser has been launched to cover the unexpected costs of arranging her funeral. Childhood pal Sheree Carr has launched a JustGiving page, with an initial target of £500.
She wrote on the fundraiser: "It saddens me to have to write this about a close childhood friend and family member. Claire was her very own person.
"She was kind, loving and would give her last to anyone. She was a mother, daughter, sister, aunty and friend.
"She just loved all her friends and family so much. I would like to raise some funds to help the family pay towards the funeral costs.
"Please if you can give anything at all to help this family take some of the stress away from them during this very sad time please do."
Yesterday, we reported how the Gallowhill community has come together to support friends of Claire as well as those who have been displaced by the fire. Renfrewshire Council has arranged emergency accommodation for those left homeless, while a number of local businesses have been taking in donations of clothing for those left with nothing after the blaze.
Kirsteen Haughey, manager of the local Costcutter store, said: "People are putting notes in, not just coins - the owner [of the shop] has put in £100. Sometimes, a community keeps to itself, but when something like this happens it makes you proud to live here."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 10.45pm on Thursday, 13 April, 2023, police were called to reports of a fire at a property on Belmont Road, Paisley. A 38-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Officers remain in attendance and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances. Anyone with information should call 101 quoting reference 3922 of 13 April, 2023.”
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