Jackie Baillie has welcomed recommendations made following the Fatal Accident Inquiry into the fire at Cameron House resort at Loch Lomond which claimed the lives of Simon Midgley and Richard Dyson more than 5 years ago.

The Dumbarton constituency MSP has urged the Scottish Government to ensure that the actions identified by Sheriff Thomas McCartney are implemented urgently in order that this kind of tragedy is not repeated in future.

This comes less than two weeks after a fatal blaze at the New County Hotel in Perth in which three people lost their lives.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service originally ruled out a Fatal Accident Inquiry however this decision was later reversed following a sustained campaign by Simon’s mother, Jane Midgley.

It took place at Paisley Sheriff Court last year with Sheriff McCartney publishing his findings today. He has ruled that the deaths of both men could have been avoided had reasonable precautions around the disposal of hot ash been taken.

Sheriff McCartney includes actions for the Scottish Government to take in respect of fire suppression systems, like sprinklers, being installed in historic buildings used as hotel accommodation and for the government to constitute an expert working group to explore risks relating to voids and wall cavities.

The recommendations also advise that hotel operators should have robust procedures in place to ensure hot ash from open fires is properly disposed of, that arrangements are in place to account for all persons in the event of evacuation and that all staff, in particular night staff, have experience of evacuation drills.

The Dumbarton constituency MSP said: “I thank the families for their determination and their dignity throughout this whole process. It is imperative that these recommendations are put into legislation straight away so that no other families are put through the same torment the relatives of Simon Midgley and Richard Dyson have had to endure.

“The deaths of these two men were avoidable and it should not have taken five years to get this point.

“With the fatal fire at the New County Hotel in Perth having happened less than two weeks ago, that puts into sharp focus how important it is that action is taken on these recommendations urgently.

“Although this will not lessen their heartache and the deep sense of loss they continue to feel, I hope the families affected by the fire at Cameron House can now be reassured that lessons will be learned following this awful tragedy.”