Two people have died after a fire took hold in a luxury golf resort on the banks of Loch Lomond in Scotland in the early hours of Monday morning (Dec 18).
More than 200 guests were evacuated from the Cameron House Hotel, near Balloch, as firefighters battled for about 12 hours to bring the blaze under control.
Police confirmed one person died at the scene, while another died at the Royal Alexandra hospital in Paisley. The Scottish ambulance service said two adults and one child – believed to be members of the same family – were taken to the Queen Elizabeth University hospital in Glasgow. They were released on Monday afternoon. Police said some other guests were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.
The alarm was raised shortly before 7am after the fire took hold in the main building of the hotel complex, the Scottish ambulance service said. A total of 70 firefighters and 14 fire appliances attended the scene. Guests who escaped the blaze assembled at the resort’s Boathouse Restaurant.
Much of the interior of the main central section of the hotel, thought to be the oldest part, was visibly blackened, with upper floor windows smashed to allow the firefighters’ water jets access to the flames.
The five-star resort, which is on the west bank of the loch – about 17 miles north-west of Glasgow – is to remain closed for at least three days.
Andy Roger, the hotel’s resort director, said: “The safety and well-being of our guests, employees and neighbours is our first priority, and our deepest condolences are with the families of those affected. We are working closely with the authorities to determine the cause of the fire, and to provide support to our guests and the families of those affected.”
He added: “We would ask all guests and customers to remain patient as we work with the emergency services to establish the extent of the damage and ascertain when we will be able to re-open.”
An 18th century Baronial mansion, Cameron House was converted into a luxury hotel and resort in 1986 after it was sold by the Smollett family, who held the property for three centuries. The hotel is currently owned by KSL Capital Partners, who bought the luxury golf resort from Q Hotels for £70 million in 2015. Facilities include a 132-bedroom hotel, 184 timeshare lodges, a spa, and an 18-hole championship golf course. The hotel also houses the Michelin-starred Martin Wishart at Loch Lomond restaurant.