A MAN who collapsed and died as he watched a vehicle burn outside his home has been named locally as Robert Weir.
The 69-year-old is understood to have suffered a heart attack as the blazing car started to explode from the heat.
The incident happened on Sunday night outside Mr Weir’s home in Breich, West Lothian.
He had gone into the back garden to get away from the flames when he suddenly took ill.
Firefighters and ambulance crews gave Mr Weir medical attention at the scene before he was taken to St John’s Hospital, Livingston, where he died.
The fire left the vehicle burned out and cracked windows in a nearby flat.
Neighbour Hume Kinniburgh, 71, said Mr Weir had lived at the address since he was around five years old.
He added: “It’s a very sad thing to have happened. He certainly was a very nice person. And he was so fit. Everybody knew him and he helped everybody. He enjoyed is walking and was always walking up the braes. He was very fit.”
Mr Kinniburgh’s wife Esther said she saw medics try to resuscitate Mr Weir: “I heard someone shouting for first aid. I saw the fire crews trying to resuscitate him. It was terrible to see him that way. It was very sad.”
A police spokesman said: “Police are investigating an incident that happened in Breich, West Calder, around 9pm yesterday evening, where a vehicle was discovered on fire outside a property in Woodmuir Road.
“A 69-year-old man was taken to St John’s Hospital after suffering a heart attack at the scene, and subsequently died.
“Inquiries are currently at an early stage, and police are appealing to anyone who was in the area of Woodmuir Roadyesterday evening, who saw any suspicious activity, to contact them.”
