Police Scotland has verified the identity of three hotel fire victims in Perth.
Donna Janse Van Rensburg, 44, and Sharon McLean, 47, from Aberdeen were identified as the incident’s victims.
Keith Russell, 38, and Joey, Donna’s dog, were also recognised after the fire at the New County Hotel.
On January 2, just after 5 a.m., a major fire broke out at the hotel on County Place in town.
Sisters, Donna Janse Van Rensburg, 44 (right), and Sharon McLean, 47 (left), from Aberdeen were named as victims of the incident
Keith Russell, 38, from Edinburgh also died in the Perth fire, Police Scotland has confirmed
Donna’s dog Joey also died in the hotel blaze that more than 60 firefighters responded to
After the structure caught fire, emergency services raced to the site, with over 60 firemen fighting the flames and neighbouring buildings being evacuated.
Despite their attempts, Donna, Sharon, and Keith died tragically.
According to one witness, eleven others were treated for minor injuries, with several needing to be transported on stretchers.
In response to their deaths, Keith’s family has issued a statement.
Shocking photos from the scene of the blaze which has left three people dead
It read: ‘Keith was a loving father and loved by all his family. He will be greatly missed.’
Chief Superintendent Phil Davison also said: ‘Our thoughts continue to be with the family and friends of those who died as well as the many people affected by this incident.
‘A joint investigation with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is ongoing and a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.
‘I would like to again thank all the emergency services and partner agencies involved as well as the local community for their patience while enquiries are carried out.’
Giving a statement at the scene in Perth, Jason Sharp, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service area commander for Perth, Kinross, Angus and Dundee, also said: ‘This was a very complex incident where tragically three people were pronounced dead at the scene.
‘Our thoughts are very much with the immediate family and friends at this difficult time.’
»The identities of three people who died in a Perth hotel fire has been confirmed«