Eco warrior dies in blaze at forest camp

AN ENVIRONMENTAL activist died and another was badly burned when a fire broke out at a forest protest camp.

Protesters at Bilston Glen south of Edinburgh are understood to have held a party on Sunday night following a community open day at the eco camp, which was set up to protect an area of woodland earmarked for redevelopment.

Yesterday, the camp, which is home to a group of activists from around the world, was cordoned off as police and fire investigations officers carried out forensic searches.

Police said it was unclear what caused the blaze at the centre of a treehouse village deep in the glen. Police, fire crews and paramedics were called to the scene at about 3:30am yesterday and had to make their way to the camp on foot.

By the time they arrived, it was too late to save the man, who was in his twenties.

The woman, also in her 20s, who was badly burned, was taken to the specialist burns unit at St John's Hospital, Livingston.

A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service said the cause of the fire and the fatality was being investigated, but it appeared to have been an accident.

"The scene itself is quite badly fire-damaged," she said. "There's no electricity, they have campfires and candles and paraffin lamps.

"Living in these kind of self-constructed homes with blankets and loads of leaves and branches… it's perfectly conceivable that some kind of flame, whether used for heating or light, started it."

Yesterday, a group of environmentalists gathered in Bilston to remember their friend. One handed round a statement which said: "The people of Bilston Road Protest Site regret the loss of one of our friends, who has been a valued member of our community, and extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends."

An environmental protest camp has been in Bilston Glen since 2002, aiming to prevent any building of a bypass road that would see the A701, which currently runs through Bilston, realigned through woodland next to the village.

Last night, the environmentalists said they were reluctant to reveal the name of the dead man in case his relatives had not yet been informed - but said in their statement: "Unfortunately, we have no way of contacting them (his family]."

Denise Vickers, who works at a nearby snack bar, said of the protesters: "You used to see them around and they didn't do any harm. They were like a family. I feel for them, I really do."

Local resident Brian Tait said a lot of villagers supported the protest. "I was born here.I have been all over those woods when I was a boy and I agree with what they were doing."

Anthony Dumbreck and David Miller from the VW garage across the road from the camp said the eco warriors used to come in to fetch water.

"Generally they were quite pleasant young people; people with a bit of idealism, and there isn't enough of it about."

They added: "I should think this will be the end of the camp, and that is a shame."