Finance chief dies after fire starts in bedroom of Scottish mansion

A BUSINESSMAN has been killed and his wife and young children injured after a fire spread through their mansion.

Christophe Ferrand, 44, the European chief operating officer for the global financial services group Aegon, died after the fire broke out in a first-floor bedroom of his Stirlingshire home at about 5am yesterday.

He was rescued from the burning house by firefighters, but died in Stirling Royal Infirmary from his injuries.

His wife Audrey, 45, suffered serious leg injuries in the fire and has been treated in hospital.

Their eight-year-old daughter is still in Stirling Royal Infirmary after suffering smoke inhalation, while their 14-year-old son was also checked by hospital staff after the blaze.

Six fire engines attended, as well as an aerial platform, to battle the flames, which quickly spread into the roof space of the eight-bedroom house in Dunmore Park, Airth.

About 45 firefighters attended the blaze, which was brought under control by 9am.

Tom Penman, station manager with Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service, said: "There was a serious fire in the first-floor bedroom that quickly developed into the roof space.

"Our fire fighters worked tirelessly to prevent the fire further spreading throughout the rest of the building, which they did fantastically well."

Central Scotland Police Detective Inspector Ronnie Isles said the alarm was raised just after 5am. He said Mr Ferrand was rescued by firefighters, but pronounced dead at Stirling Royal Infirmary.

He said the 14-year-old boy remained in hospital for observation.

The building, called The Parsonage, is described as "magnificent period mansion house which dates from 1863 and was originally built as the parsonage for the neighbouring Dunmore Estate".

It was recently put up for sale at offers over 1.35 million.

Mr Ferrand, who was French, was the European chief operating officer of the newly created Edinburgh-based organisation Aegon Global Asset Management, responsible for operations, IT, performance and reporting in Europe.

He had been with Aegon for almost 11 years in the UK asset management business.

A Central Scotland Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said that firefighters arrived at the scene to find Mr Ferrand's Scottish wife and their two children outside.

Firemen helped the eight-year-old girl to safety from a ledge on which she was standing and went in search of her father.

The spokeswoman added: "When we arrived three of the family were outside. The little girl was standing on a parapet and we helped her to safety.

"The man was still inside the house at that point. He was taken out and rushed to hospital."

Central Scotland Fire and rescue are now carrying out a joint investigation in to the blaze.

Adrian Cammidge, head of European investment communications for Aegon Asset Management said last night that colleagues had been devastated by the death of Mr Ferrand.

He said: "It is with regret and sadness, Aegon Asset Management can confirm that a great friend and colleague, Christophe Ferrand, died in a fire at his home in Scotland last night.

"Christophe, who was the chief administrative officer of the UK division of the asset management business, had recently taken on an expanded role with responsibility for legal and finance in the UK as well as his existing responsibilities.

"He was an inspirational figure for those that had the pleasure to work with him, and he will be sorely missed by all his colleagues across the Aegon group.

"Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues."