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Nursing home blaze inquiry opens Nursing home blaze inquiry opens
(10 minutes later)
A fatal accident inquiry has opened into the deaths of 14 elderly residents at a Lanarkshire nursing home.A fatal accident inquiry has opened into the deaths of 14 elderly residents at a Lanarkshire nursing home.
Before proceedings began, sheriff principal, Brian Lockhart, held a minute's silence for the victims of the fire at Rosepark home in Uddingston.Before proceedings began, sheriff principal, Brian Lockhart, held a minute's silence for the victims of the fire at Rosepark home in Uddingston.
A number of relatives of those who died in the blaze in 2004 have been giving evidence at the hearing in Motherwell.A number of relatives of those who died in the blaze in 2004 have been giving evidence at the hearing in Motherwell.
They told the inquiry there were few problems with the nursing home and most have praised the staff there.They told the inquiry there were few problems with the nursing home and most have praised the staff there.
They were all questioned by Crown counsel James Wolffe QC.They were all questioned by Crown counsel James Wolffe QC.
Janette Bulloch, a retired clerical assistant, lost her mother, Helen Crawford, 85.Janette Bulloch, a retired clerical assistant, lost her mother, Helen Crawford, 85.
She told the inquiry her mother was in home because she had Alzheimer's and it was becoming increasingly difficult to cope with her.She told the inquiry her mother was in home because she had Alzheimer's and it was becoming increasingly difficult to cope with her.
Asked whether her mother's bedroom door was generally kept open or closed, she replied: "Her preference would be to have it open."Asked whether her mother's bedroom door was generally kept open or closed, she replied: "Her preference would be to have it open."
FIRE VICTIMS Annie (Nan) Stirrat, 82Julia McRoberts, 90Robina Burns, 89Isabella MacLeod, 75Margaret Lappin, 83Mary McKenner, 82Ellen (Helen) Milne, 82Helen (Ella) Crawford, 85Annie Thomson, 87Margaret McWee, 98Thomas Cook, 95Agnes Dennison, 95Margaret Gow, 84Isabella MacLachlan, 93
She said she had noticed fire drill instructions on the walls at the home but added that sometimes she noticed fire doors were open.She said she had noticed fire drill instructions on the walls at the home but added that sometimes she noticed fire doors were open.
One of the questions the inquiry will be asking is whether reasonable precautions could have been taken at the nursing home to prevent the deaths, including the policy of leaving bedroom doors open or closed.One of the questions the inquiry will be asking is whether reasonable precautions could have been taken at the nursing home to prevent the deaths, including the policy of leaving bedroom doors open or closed.
The fourteen residents aged between 75 and 98 all died as a result of inhaling smoke following the fire in January 2004 which is believed to have been started by an electrical fault in a linen cupboard.The fourteen residents aged between 75 and 98 all died as a result of inhaling smoke following the fire in January 2004 which is believed to have been started by an electrical fault in a linen cupboard.
FIRE VICTIMS Annie (Nan) Stirrat, 82Julia McRoberts, 90Robina Burns, 89Isabella MacLeod, 75Margaret Lappin, 83Mary McKenner, 82Ellen (Helen) Milne, 82Helen (Ella) Crawford, 85Annie Thomson, 87Margaret McWee, 98Thomas Cook, 95Agnes Dennison, 95Margaret Gow, 84Isabella MacLachlan, 93
The inquiry is expected to last between four and six months.The inquiry is expected to last between four and six months.
It has taken almost six years to begin the judicial inquiry, because at first prosecutors tried to bring charges against three directors of the company which ran the nursing home.It has taken almost six years to begin the judicial inquiry, because at first prosecutors tried to bring charges against three directors of the company which ran the nursing home.
Three separate indictments were issued, each being dismissed on a legal technicality. On the final occasion in May 2009, the judge, Lord Matthews, said it would be impossible under current laws to bring prosecutions against Thomas, Anne and Alan Balmer.Three separate indictments were issued, each being dismissed on a legal technicality. On the final occasion in May 2009, the judge, Lord Matthews, said it would be impossible under current laws to bring prosecutions against Thomas, Anne and Alan Balmer.
Two days later the Crown Office announced it was to hold a fatal accident inquiry - although this will not be able to apportion blame.Two days later the Crown Office announced it was to hold a fatal accident inquiry - although this will not be able to apportion blame.
It will seek to establish where and when each of the victims died, the cause of their death and what caused the fire.It will seek to establish where and when each of the victims died, the cause of their death and what caused the fire.
The sheriff principal can also make recommendations to prevent a similar tragedy, but these are not legally binding.The sheriff principal can also make recommendations to prevent a similar tragedy, but these are not legally binding.
The inquiry is being held in the Gospel Literature Outreach Centre in Motherwell, and sheriff principal Lockhart has ruled that neither he nor the lawyers taking part will wear wigs or gowns.The inquiry is being held in the Gospel Literature Outreach Centre in Motherwell, and sheriff principal Lockhart has ruled that neither he nor the lawyers taking part will wear wigs or gowns.