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COURIER OPINION: Perth hotel fire 999 crews deserve highest praise

The fire at the New County Hotel in Perth made for a tragic start to the new year, but the response of the emergency services was exemplary.

a police officer and firefighter outside the New County Hotel in Perth.
Police and fire crews outside the New County Hotel in Perth following the tragic blaze. Image: Steve MacDougall/DC Thomson.

It has been the worst possible start to 2023 in Perth. And as news of an early-morning hotel fire filtered through, it was immediately apparent the incident was serious.

Roads were closed and emergency service personnel turned out en masse.

Sadly, news of fatalities quickly followed.

police and fire crews outside the New County Hotel in Perth.
Emergency services outside the New County Hotel in Perth following the fire. Image: Steve MacDougall/DC Thomson.

Doubtless there will be a full investigation into the fire at the New County Hotel in Perth.

But no matter what the ultimate findings, nothing will change the terrible fact that three people who set out to spend a night in a hotel perished.

Others were treated at the scene.

The incident will have a huge effect on all staff and guests, and also the community.

Such tragedies are mercifully rare, but always leave a mark.

Kate Nicholls, the chief executive of UK Hospitality, described the loss of life as “desperately tragic” and also praised the emergency services for their response to the Perth hotel fire.

They may be geared up to deal with such incidents but nevertheless it cannot have been an easy day for 999 teams.

They deserve credit for their tireless efforts to preserve life amid appalling circumstances.

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