By Cara Sulieman
A FIRE has ripped through a British Heart Foundation shop in the capital, just 500 yards from the Balmoral Bar where firefighter Ewan Williamson lost his life.
Exactly a week after his tragic death, firefighters were called out to 56 Dalry Road where smoke was coming out of the roof of the charity’s shop.
Three firefighters were injured whilst trying to put out the inferno and were taken to hospital.
But luckily they were later released from the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary after being treated for a variety of injuries including smoke inhalation and bumps and bruises.
Smoke
The call came in at 3.56am yesterday and seven engines with 65 firefighters attended the scene to put out the fire.
When firefighters reached the building there was smoke coming out the top of the building, which also houses Laserquest Edinburgh.
Most of the property is occupied by an Electrical and Furniture branch of the British Heart Foundation.
The cause of the fire is not yet known but Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for information.
Man and woman
A police spokesman said: “We are looking to speak to anyone with information that can help our inquiries.
“In particular, we want to speak to a man and a woman who were seen walking together towards Gorgie from Dalry at around 4am this morning, as they may have information that can assist us.
“We would appeal for them to come forward as soon as possible, and we would also appeal for anyone else who has information that can help us to get in touch.”
It comes just three days before the funeral of Ewan Williamson, who died when the floor of the Balmoral Bar collapsed as he was trying to rescue people trapped inside the burning building.
St Giles Catherdral
The hero’s funeral, this Wednesday, will be preceded by a dignified procession through the capital’s streets to allow the public to pay their last respects.
Mr Williamson’s family will first hold a private ceremony in his hometown of Kinross, Fife, before a lone fire engine carries Ewan’s coffin from the fire-fighter’s former watch station at Tollcross to the cathedral in the city’s Royal Mile.
Fire-fighters from across Britain are to travel to pay their final respects to their fallen colleague and eulogies will be heard from Lothian’s Chief Fire Officer Brian Allaway and family members.
