Fire which killed three children in Paisley is not being treated as suspicious, say police

Police have confirmed that a fire which killed three siblings in Paisley is not being treated as suspicious.

The three siblings - Fiona Gibson, 12, and brothers Alexander, eight, and Philip, five - died in hospital after the fire. Tributes were also left at the scene. Pic: Andrew Milligan/PA

Fiona Gibson, 12, and brothers Alexander, eight, and Philip, five, were taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow after the blaze at the property in Renfrew Road, Paisley on Friday night. They died a short time after being admitted.

The children's 39-year-old mother was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition, but police have now described her condition as "not life threatening."

In a statement released this afternoon, Renfrewshire and Inverclyde police said: "We can confirm a fatal fire in Paisley is not being treated as suspicious."

The fire took place at about 9pm on Friday within a flat in Renfrew Road, Paisley and officers attended alongside the fire service and ambulance service.

Chief Inspector Rhona Fraser, area commander for Paisley, said: "My thoughts are with the family and the effect this has had on them and the local community.

"Officers remain at the address while enquiries continue. This is standard procedure and a report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal."

Alex Gibson, the children’s father, wrote on Facebook at the weekend: “may u rest in peace little angels”.

He later added: “how I miss them already, now I know what it feels like when ur world comes crashing down”.

The head teachers of the schools at which the children attended have also paid tribute to them.

Fiona was a pupil at Mary Russell School in Paisley, where head teacher Julie McCallum, said the school community is “deeply saddened by the tragic news" and said the school's thoughts and prayers are with her family.

The boys were pupils at St Catherine’s Primary School in the town. Head teacher Emma Henry said both of them were "full of energy" and "never ceased" to make people smile.