GRAPHIC CCTV footage showing how the devastating 2017 fire at the Cameron House Hotel took hold has been released for the first time.
The footage shows hotel night porter Christopher O'Malley disposing of ashes from an open fire in a cupboard close to the hotel's reception area.
Then, hours later, hotel staff are seen reacting after the building's fire alarm was activated – and discovering the blaze.
The footage was released alongside a series of still images showing the shocking aftermath of the fire, which killed hotel guests Simon Midgley and Richard Dyson.
O'Malley, 35, of Lennox Street in Renton, pleaded guilty in December to failing to take reasonable care for the health and safety of persons affected by his actions or omissions.
And on Friday, when restrictions on the reporting of December's case were lifted, the hotel's owners, Cameron House Resort (Loch Lomond) Limited, admitted two charges of safety violations under the Fire (Scotland) Act.
There were 214 guests in 96 rooms at the hotel on the night of the fire, including 25 children.
Advocate depute Michael Meehan QC told December's hearing that in the early hours of Sunday, O'Malley and a second porter were seen on CCTV going to empty the ash from the fireplace.
The porters were seen using a silver ice bucket to scoop out the ashes and a plastic bag with water in it.
Metal bins at the back of the hotel for ash were overflowing and rusting at the bottom.
At 3.57am, O'Malley emptied ash from the Cameron Grill restaurant fire into a plastic bag. The more experienced porter chatted with him and watched.
The bag of ash was put in the cupboard near a stack of timber kindling. They closed the door.
At 6.39am a pre-alarm went off and O'Malley is seen on CCTV running around looking for signs of the fire, before spotting smoke coming from the cupboard.
When he opened the door, the fire immediately took hold and spread into the hallway.
Attempts to fight the blaze with a fire extinguisher were quickly abandoned and the hotel alarm was sounded and 999 called at 6.41am.
Following Friday's hearing, constituency MSP Jackie Baillie said: “This is completely heart-breaking for all involved – not least for the families of Simon and Richard.
“After three long, painful years these families finally have the answers that they need as to why their beloved sons and brothers died in this fire.
“It is deeply concerning to learn that this fire could have been avoided, had the staff involved been given the proper training needed, and more importantly, had the hotel owners heeded the prior warnings given to them about their safety standards.
“The length of time that it has taken for this case to be concluded has caused the families involved undue stress and pain, during what is already an unimaginably difficult time for them.
"Going forward, steps must be taken by Cameron House to ensure that failings of this magnitude never happen again. We now know that these deaths were avoidable.
“My sympathies continue to be with the families and loved ones of Simon and Richard.
"The conclusion of this case today has finally given them the answers that they need but will not remove the sense of loss or heartache.”
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