Family members recount the devastating impact of the 2017 blaze at Cameron House Hotel that claimed two lives.
An inquiry at Paisley Sheriff Court has heard the profound emotional toll on Jane Midgley, whose son Simon and his partner Richard Dyson perished in a devastating fire at the five-star Cameron House Hotel on Loch Lomond in December 2017. The fatal accident inquiry (FAI) is investigating safety lapses and the events surrounding the tragedy.
Simon Midgley, aged 32, and Richard Dyson, 38, were killed in the blaze that also left the hotel’s safety measures under scrutiny. The inquiry heard a moving statement from Jane Midgley, read by Crown counsel Graeme Jessop, in which she described her son as a lively and optimistic individual, full of plans for the year ahead. She recalled Simon’s last words to her: “2018 was going to be our year.”
Reflecting on the devastating loss, she revealed the emotional strain it caused her, saying she still cannot come to terms with the suddenness of her son’s death. “Losing a child is heart-breaking and I will never be able to accept that Simon is gone,” she said. The thought of her son trapped in the building, fighting for his life, fills her with overwhelming guilt, as she was unable to be there to help.
The inquiry will examine whether changes can be made to improve guest safety and prevent similar incidents in the future. As evidence was presented, some family members in the courtroom were visibly moved.
Post-mortem reports confirmed both men died from smoke inhalation caused by the fire, suggesting they were still alive as the blaze raged. Despite efforts to save them, Richard Dyson was declared dead at the scene, while Simon Midgley succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
The hotel’s operator, Cameron House Resort (Loch Lomond) Ltd, was fined £500,000 for fire safety violations, and night porter Christopher O’Malley received a community payback order. The fire was traced back to O’Malley improperly disposing of hot embers, which ignited a fire in the hotel’s kindling storage. The hotel admitted failing to implement adequate fire safety measures between 2016 and 2017.
During the inquiry, Darren Robinson, the hotel’s night manager at the time, described the fire alarm system and the events of that fateful night. The fire panel alerted staff to smoke detection, prompting Robinson to investigate. Within minutes, a full alarm was triggered, and the fire broke out explosively. Robinson recounted his actions, including trying to evacuate guests and call emergency services while facing the chaos of the fire. Several guests had to be rescued, including the couple in the room where Simon and Richard had been staying.
