Newmilns dad dies in fire tragedy

Jan 2 2009 by Lizzie Struthers, Kilmarnock Standard

A NEWMILNS man was found dead in his home on Christmas Day after a blaze in his kitchen.

David Grimshaw, 54, died after a fire in his flat in the town’s Main Street in the early hours of last Thursday.

It is suspected he may have died from smoke inhalation. A post mortem is being carried out.

His body was discovered later that day after his family raised the alarm when he failed to turn up for Christmas dinner.

Neighbours were unaware there had been an outbreak of fire in the flat, above the Loudoun Arms pub.

The blaze, which was contained in the kitchen, had gone out by itself.

The father-of-four, who lived alone, was better known as Dave.

His daughter Diane Grimshaw said: “He will be terribly missed by us all.”

Heather Taggart, assistant manager of the Loudoun Arms, said: “Everybody is in shock. He was such a well-liked man.”

Police and fire services are investigating but are not treating the incident as suspicious.

A Strathclyde Fire and Rescue spokesman said: “There was a smoke detector in the property but it did not have a battery.”

The spokesman warned all householders to check their smoke alarms. Strathclyde Fire and Rescue carry out free home safety visits and will fit or replace smoke alarms.