The victim of a horrific fire in Paisley has been named locally as Claire McFadyen.
The 38-year-old was killed in a fire on Belmont Road in the Gallowhill area of the town, which began shortly after 10pm on Thursday night. Locals described her as a “lovely lassie” who had lived in the area for around four years.
One said: “She was a lovely lassie. I didn’t know her well but my brother knew her. She looked a lot younger than she was.”
Friend Christina Adamson spoke about her sadness over the loss of Claire.
Writing on Facebook, Christina said: "Goodbye my friend. I'm so glad we spoke last night - you were in such a good mood.
"Met Claire starting high school and we thought we were so cool. There was good times. Go be at peace now - my love is with your family."
While Louise Forrest added: "So incredibly sad for her kids."
The fire broke out in a top floor flat on Belmont Road before spreading to the roof. The flames then spread across the roof of the entire block, burning their way into other homes.
Six fire engines and a height appliance were in attendance at the peak of the fire, which was "well-developed" by the time crews arrived to put it out.
Police have now launched an investigation into the cause of the blaze after confirming the death this morning. Fire crews remained on the scene dampening down the building until around midday on Friday.
A local, who wished to remain anonymous, told how residents were woken up in the night by the noise.
The told the Paisley Daily Express: “It’s absolutely devastating, heartbreaking. It looks like it’s started at one house and spread along six or eight of them. We could hear the fire alarms going off for what seemed like hours. It was a constant ringing just letting us all know the building was burning.
"It was all the noise that woke us and, when we looked out, it was pitch black but also so bright with the flames. The fire had been burning for at least an hour before the fire service could access the fire hydrant. It was chaos. I think they only had one hose and it was taking them forever to get a hold of the fire.
“Nobody should be woken up in the middle of the night with their world on fire around them."
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.”
Police have established a cordon in Belmont Road. It is unclear how long the street will be closed.
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