Tributes paid to tragic Edinburgh firefighter

TRIBUTES have been paid to an off-duty firefighter who died in a fall into a pub basement.

Alan Brown - Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Alan had been off duty and on a night out when he was discovered fatally injured in the early hours of Friday morning Picture:TSPL

Alan Brown, 46, was said to be on a night out when he fell into the outside basement area of Bert’s Barr in William Street, Edinburgh, at around 1.40am today.

Colleagues of the firefighter were called to the incident but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement released through the fire service, his wife Sarah said: “Alan was a beloved husband and father. He will be greatly missed. As a family we now need time to come to terms with this tragic event and grieve Alan’s loss.”

John Dickie, Senior Fire Officer for Edinburgh, said he was devastated to hear of the death. He described Mr Brown, who was a watch manager, as a popular “larger than life character”

He said: “Alan had been off duty and on a night out when he was discovered fatally injured in the early hours of Friday morning.

“Crews from Tollcross and Newcraighall fire stations were mobilised to the incident following reports that a man had fallen into a basement at William Street, Edinburgh.

“Firefighters used line rescue equipment to recover him and move him to the waiting ambulance but tragically Alan was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Our thoughts and sincere sympathies are with Alan’s family, friends and his colleagues who will be devastated at his loss.”

Officers were called to Bert’s Bar in William Street at around 1.40am today after the body was discovered in the outside basement area.

Police Scotland Detective Sergeant Neil Spowart said: “We know that the male had been within licensed premises in the area earlier that evening before later being found in the external basement of Bert’s Bar.

“Our inquiries are now trying to establish his movements prior to his death and we are keen to hear from anyone who remembers seeing him on Thursday evening or the early hours of Friday morning.

“In particular, we would like to trace a male and female who are believed to have spoken with the man outside of the pub at around 12.30am.

“These individuals, and anyone else with information relevant to this investigation, are asked to contact police immediately.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.