Volunteers at an emergency hub for families affected by the Perth fire say they have been ‘overwhelmed’ with support.
Around 40 residents were forced to flee their homes following the Scott Street blaze at around 2am on Saturday.
A man sadly died, while an eight-year-old girl and man, 27, were taken to hospital.
After the fire was reported, a respite centre was set up at the Salutation Hotel on South Street.
A new rest centre has now been set up at the North Inch Community Campus.
Affected residents should report to the hotel, where they’ll be taken to the new respite centre and offered support from Perth and Kinross Council and the Red Cross.
They will then be transported to the campus where Perth and Kinross Council and the Red Cross are offering support.
Volunteers told The Courier they have been overwhelmed after asking for donations of clothes, baby milk, food and toys.
Perth hotel swings into action
One told The Courier: “From the minute the hotel posted on its social media the items these families were needing, folk have rallied together and overwhelmed us.
“We have an entire room set aside for donations, and as much of the stuff that’s been coming in, it’s been going straight back out again.
“Our massive team of volunteers have been sorting through, so when a family in need comes in, there is a bag ready for them as well as a huge collection of toys for the kids to rake through.
“Every time we get a donation of anything from socks to baby milk, it goes straight back out again.
“The support from Perth in the aftermath has been really overwhelming.”
‘Magnificent response’ by Perth residents
A GoFundMe page has also raised more than £500 for those affected by the fire.
Perth and Kinross-shire MP Pete Wishart visited the hotel and said a “large volume of donations” had been received.
He said: “The whole of Perth has been rocked by Saturday’s horrific fire, and we have since learned the news that a man has tragically lost his life.
“My thoughts are with his loved ones during this heartbreaking time, and with all those impacted.
“I visited the support hub this morning to speak with emergency responders and volunteers.
“It was clear that there has already been a magnificent response by the local community.
“A flood of donations has already been received with more coming in by the hour, which is providing essential support to those who have been displaced.
“Volunteers are currently asking for donations of new underwear and socks, and baby milk.”
Perth & Kinross Council Deputy Leader, Councillor Eric Drysdale, said: “Staff from our Housing Service, Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership and our social work teams have been in attendance at the hotel since the incident to give any support and practical help that we can.
“Importantly, we are working to make sure that everyone who has been displaced has suitable alternative accommodation in place.
“People have also been given food, hot drinks, clothes, replacement medication, nappies, baby milk, pay-as-you-go phones, toiletries, toys and help with their pets.
“A large-scale Red Cross team also attended this afternoon to provide further support for anyone that needed it, backing up the Council and HSCP effort through the night and day.
“I would like to thank everyone who has helped in the effort to support the householders, including our staff, volunteers and staff at the Salutation Hotel, and we will continue to do all we can to support people affected by the fire.
“What has been heartening to see at this sad time was the immediate practical support donated by local businesses and charities, from clothing to food and toiletries, and even a brand-new pram for one of the youngest children affected by this incident.
“Finally, I would also like to thank the people of Perth and local businesses for their patience and understanding as some unavoidable disruption continues in the city centre.”
Conversation