Tributes paid to OAP killed in fire

FRIENDS and neighbours have paid tribute to "cheerful" pensioner Moira Barber who died in a fire at her city home.

The severely disabled 61-year-old was found dead by firefighters who were called to her Morningside flat.

Flowers have since been placed on the doorstep of her ground-floor flat by neighbours who described her a "lovely" woman

One neighbour, Alan Bold, said: "She was really quite disabled. She used to walk with a Zimmer and it would take her forever to go to the shop, but she was always smiling despite everything. She was a cheerful neighbour."

Police have now identified Ms Barber as the victim of Monday's fire in Comiston Gardens.

A report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal, but police said there were no suspicious circumstances. Investigations into the cause of the fire are due to be completed soon.

Firefighters discovered the flat alight after being called to the property by a 999 call from a passer-by.

It is understood the fire began in the living room, causing smoke to spread throughout the house, but it is not known whether Ms Barber was trapped in the building because of her disability.

The fire was extinguished by 8:20pm and crews remained at the scene until late into the night, including forensic teams who were initially treating the fire as a crime. Ms Barber is known to have used a motorised scooter for a disability which affected her mobility in recent years.

A local newsagent said her condition had worsened over the past few years, but said she still made regular trips to the shops, either using her scooter or on crutches.