Two Buddies have been left with “absolutely nothing” after a devastating fire in Paisley. Cameron Pollock and Ian Scott lost all of their belongings in the blaze which ripped through their Chapelhill Road home on Thursday, January 5.
The pair had lived in the council-owned flat for a few years but did not have contents insurance. But friends and family are determined to help them get back on their feet.
Rachel Stewart, Cameron’s sister, has set up a Go Fund Me page to ask fellow Buddies to spare what they can to help the men buy basics such as clothes, shoes and other essentials. Rachel said: “They have lost absolutely everything, everything is gone.
“They didn’t have any insurance either so nothing can be claimed back which is absolutely devastating. It’s one of those situations where you are desperate to help but don’t know how.
“I have seen other people in this situation set up Go Fund Me pages to help raise funds so that’s what I have done to even get them a little bit of money for clothes and essentials or to put towards a deposit for another place to live.”
Six fire engines raced to the house following reports of a blaze at around 1.15pm on Thursday but found the two-storey building engulfed in flames. The damage has forced Cameron and Ian to stay with their relatives while they search for emergency accommodation and try to rebuild their lives.
Ian was in the flat at the time of the fire. The 46 year old had to be taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation, but was thankfully released later that day.
Cameron, meanwhile, heard about the fire while at work and watched it go up in flames when a colleague drove him home.
“They think it may have been caused by a battery for an electric scooter, but can’t be sure,” Rachel added. “My brother went back and took pictures.
“All the windows are blown out and the whole place is completely black. Nothing has been spared, they have lost all their belongings, clothes, sentimental things, everything.”
Rachel has thanked everyone who has donated to the online fundraiser so far, with the total currently standing at £350. She has also said the pair are incredibly grateful for donations of clothes from friends and family, which has been hugely helpful.
Speaking on Thursday a spokesman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were alerted at 1.15pm on Thursday, January 5 to reports of a house on fire at Chapelhill Road, Paisley. Operations Control mobilised six fire appliances and firefighters extinguished a fire affecting a mid-terrace two-storey property.
“One casualty was in the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service and crews left the scene after ensuring the area was made safe.”
It has not been confirmed by the SFRS what the cause of the blaze was and investigations are continuing.
You can donate to the fundraiser here.
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