Funeral set for victim of flat blaze

The funeral of a man who died in a house fire at his home before Christmas is to take place on Friday.

George Marley, 42, known to his friends as Dode, died after the fire broke out in his second-floor flat in Mayfield, Midlothian, on December 17.

The service will be held at Mortonhall Crematorium’s Pentland chapel at 11.30am, and all family and friends are welcome to attend.

Mr Marley was understood to have only recently moved to Mayfield.

Firefighters rushed to the blaze in Hawthorn Crescent, but he could not be saved. Police said later there were no suspicious circumstances.

Following his death, friends paid tribute to a man they described as a great friend, and chairman of Mayfield and Easthouses Community Council Robert Hogg said it had been a “great tragedy”.

One friend wrote on Mr Marley’s Facebook site: “RIP. One of three best mates, always brought a smile to my face as well as many others. A true legend.”

Mr Marley is survived by his father George, sister Mary and brother Walter.