A guest at a Perth hotel where three people died in a fire has told how he fled the flames with his family.
Manju Prasanna was staying at the New County Hotel with his wife and four-year-old daughter on Sunday into Monday.
He is visiting his wife – who is a student at Dundee University – from his home in Sri Lanka.
The 38-year-old described the moment he was woken up by shouting from outside his hotel room.
‘My kid was screaming’
Mr Prasanna told The Courier: “One person was shouting loudly that there’s a fire. I heard the fire alarm go off at 4.30am.
“I came to my door with my wife and kid. I came out the building and there were flames.
“My kid was screaming loudly at the time.”
After making it to safety with his family, Mr Prasanna decided to go back into the building in an attempt to retrieve his passport and luggage.
He said: “When we got out I remembered my passport was in the room.
“I went back in [to get it and the luggage].
“The room was filling with smoke, so I grabbed my passport then came out.”
The family have now been helped to find alternative accommodation.
In a press conference on Monday afternoon, Police Scotland confirmed three people had died as a result of the fire.
The first reports were made to the Scottish Fire and Rescue at 5.02am – with more than 60 firefighters on scene tackling the flames at the height of the blaze.
Medics from Tayside Trauma Team and the Scottish Ambulance Service also attended.
Hotel guests and two people from a neighbouring block of flats were evacuated and are being supported.
Police confirmed on Tuesday a probe into the circumstances is continuing.
Chief Superintendent Phil Davison said: “Our thoughts are very much with the families and loved ones of those who have died at what is a very difficult time for everyone.
“Our inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of what has happened and officers are conducting a joint investigation with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.”
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