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Edinburgh Live
12-07-2025
- Edinburgh Live
Hero Edinburgh firefighter who died in pub blaze remembered during special service
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An emotional commemoration service has taken place 16 years after an Edinburgh firefighter lost his life in a ferocious pub blaze. Heroic Ewan Williamson sadly died in the line of duty when an inferno engulfed the basement of the Balmoral Bar on Dalry Road. Ewan was one of the first crew members on scene and tragically became trapped after entering the building. However, his bravery has never been forgotten as 16 people, including a baby, were rescued from the building. The 35-year-old was a member of the Green Watch at Tollcross Fire Station and entered the building wearing breathing apparatus before becoming trapped. The outcome of the tragic blaze may have been very different if not for the bravery of Ewan and his colleagues. A special commemoration service was held in front of St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh on Saturday. In attendance was Ewan's family, the SFRS Chief Officer, Deputy Lord Provost Lezley Marion Cameron and representatives from the Fire Brigade Union. During the service, a minute's silence was observed, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony. (Image: SFRS) Chief Officer Stevens said: 'Sixteen years ago Ewan Williamson lost his life in the line of duty. Ewan, his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones, will always remain in our thoughts. 'Ewan's ultimate sacrifice reminds us of the extraordinary lengths our firefighters go to, to protect and to serve our communities across the country. 'The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will always remember Ewan. We will continue to commemorate his life and honour his selfless dedication and bravery.' (Image: Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service/PA Wire) The Williamson family, Linda, Rachel and Rebecca said: 'Ewan's family would like to extend their thanks to Ewan's colleagues and friends at Tollcross Green Watch and the Fire Brigades Union for their support and friendship in the years following Ewan's tragic passing. His big, beautiful smile lives on in our hearts.' On July 12 2009, the alarm was raised shortly before midnight following a fire in the basement of the bar. As it spread, Ewan and his colleagues were deployed to tackle the blaze in the basement and ground floor. This enabled colleagues to work on rescuing over a dozen casualties from the flats above who were endangered by smoke and flames. On July 4, 2025, it was announced Ewan Williamson would receive an Elizabeth Emblem in recognition of his sacrifice in the line of duty. The emblem is awarded posthumously to family members of those who have died in public service. John McKenzie, Fire Brigades Union Regional Secretary for Scotland said: Ewan was a friend to all who knew him and a brilliant firefighter and comrade. He paid the ultimate sacrifice serving the public and our thoughts are with Linda, Rachel, Rebecca, Ewan's colleagues and all those that loved him. He will never be forgotten and will always be in our thoughts.' Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron, Depute Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, said: 'Today we honour Ewan's memory, his service and selfless bravery in the line of duty. 'Sixteen years ago on that fateful day, Ewan tragically lost his life in the service of others. This is public service of the most noble and selfless kind. 'Ewan's courage, sacrifice and dedication reminds us that true heroism lives not in grand gestures but in daily acts of selflessness, demonstrated daily by all those working in our emergency services facing danger with bravery and courage to keep each and all of us, and our communities, safe.'
Edinburgh Live
04-07-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh firefighter who died in pub blaze recognised with new honour
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An Edinburgh firefighter who lost his life in a pub blaze has been recognised with a new honour. Ewan Williamson was only 35-years-old when he attended a fire at the Balmoral Bar on Dalry Road. The flames broke out at around 12.38am on July 12, 2009, and spread through the basement and ground levels as well as the flats in the three floors above. Ewan was part of the team that rescued 16 people, including a baby. Tragically, he became trapped during operations. Now, he's one of eight Scottish residents being honoured with the Elizabeth Emblem - introduced last year for public servants who died in the line of duty. Fire Brigades Union Regional Chair, Gus Sproul, said: 'Firefighter Ewan Williamson paid the ultimate sacrifice serving the public. "The FBU and our members continue to reflect on his loss. Ewan will never be forgotten, his family, colleagues and friends are in our thoughts today.' Last year on the 15th anniversary of Ewan's death, Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron, Depute Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, added: 'Today on the 15-year anniversary of the Balmoral Bar fire at which Firefighter Ewan Williamson tragically lost his life, we honour Ewan's memory, his service and his sacrifice. 'On that fateful day, and on every day since; as is the case today, and shall be tomorrow, those working in our emergency services face danger and risk with bravery and courage in their duty to keep each of us, and our communities, safe. This is public service of the most noble and selfless kind." Rod Moore, a retired paramedic from Falkirk who returned to work with the Scottish Ambulance Service during Covid and then contracted the virus, died in November 2020. (Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire) William Oliver, a worker with the Glasgow Salvage Corps who died in the Cheapside Street disaster in 1960, is also included in what is only the second list of Elizabeth Emblem recipients. He was killed as a blaze ripped through a warehouse that contained more than one million gallons of whisky and 30,000 gallons of rum - with the temperature causing casks to rupture, leading to a huge boiling liquid vapour explosion which claimed his life and that of 18 others. Speaking as a list of 106 people across the UK being honoured was published, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden said Britain owes "an enduring debt to the public servants who give their lives to protect others". He said: "The Elizabeth Emblem is a reminder not just of the ultimate price their loved ones have paid in service of our communities, it is a lasting symbol of our national gratitude for their incredible sacrifice." Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox Mr Murray paid tribute to the Scots being recognised, saying: "Every one of these brave public servants gave their life to protect others. "They are people who stepped forward when most of us would step back, and they paid the ultimate price. I am particularly pleased that Dunblane teacher Gwen Mayor has been recognised. No-one will ever forget the horror of the shooting at Dunblane Primary School in 1996, when Mrs Mayor was killed trying to protect her pupils. "I hope that the families of all those recognised will take some comfort in knowing that their loved ones, and their service, has not been forgotten." First Minister John Swinney said: "I warmly welcome the awarding of the Elizabeth Emblem to these individuals and their families. "This recognition enables us to remember their sacrifice and their lives dedicated to public service. They made Scotland a better place for us all and we continue to honour their memory." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. The Elizabeth Emblem was established last year as a national form of recognition, with the award given to the next of kin of public servants who have lost their lives as a result of their duty. The honour is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which recognises members of the UK Armed Forces who died in action or as a result of a terrorist attack. Also being recognised is firefighter Roderick Nicolson, who died in December 1995 after becoming trapped in five tonnes of sodium carbonate ash while attempting to rescue two workmen from a silo of chemical dust at Perth Harbour. Two Scottish police officers killed in the line of duty are also being recognised. Pc Paul North, who was known by his second name of Richard, of Tayside Police died when the police car he was in was involved in a collision with another vehicle whose driver was under the influence of drink and drugs in Perth in March 1987. Pc Joseph Stewart Drake, of Stirling and Clackmannan Constabulary, was killed when a stolen lorry being pursued by officers intentionally struck his car as he tried to intercept it at Dennyloanhead near Falkirk in August 1967. The Elizabeth Emblem is also being given to the family of Alastair Soutar, who worked for HM Customs & Excise and was crushed between a customs boat and a smugglers' vessel while taking part in an operation to catch drug smugglers off the Caithness coast in July 1996.
Edinburgh Reporter
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
The Elizabeth Emblem awarded to firefighter Ewan Williamson
Firefighter Ewan Williamson who died in service while fighting a fire in The Balmoral Bar on Dalry Road has been named as one of the recipients of the new Elizabeth Emblem. Ewan Williamson is remembered by the honour given to his next of kin along with seven other Scots including Gwen Mayor who was the Primary 1 schoolteacher killed by Thomas Hamilton along with 15 of her pupils in March 1996 in Dunblane Primary School. The design of the Emblem incorporates a rosemary wreath, a traditional symbol of remembrance, which surrounds the Tudor Crown. It is inscribed with 'For A Life Given In Service', and will have the name of the person for whom it is in memoriam inscribed on the reverse of the Emblem. It will include a pin to allow the award to be worn on clothing by the next of kin of the deceased. The Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray said: 'I pay tribute to all of those Scots who have been recognised today. Every one of these brave public servants gave their life to protect others. They are people who stepped forward when most of us would step back, and they paid the ultimate price. 'I am particularly pleased that Dunblane teacher Gwen Mayor has been recognised. No-one will ever forget the horror of the shooting at Dunblane Primary School in 1996, when Mrs Mayor was killed trying to protect her pupils. 'I hope that the families of all those recognised will take some comfort in knowing that their loved ones, and their service, has not been forgotten.' Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, said: 'We owe an enduring debt to the public servants who give their lives to protect others. 'The Elizabeth Emblem is a reminder not just of the ultimate price their loved ones have paid in service of our communities, it is a lasting symbol of our national gratitude for their incredible sacrifice.' The First Minister said: 'I warmly welcome the awarding of The Elizabeth Emblem to these individuals and their families. 'This recognition enables us to remember their sacrifice and their lives dedicated to public service. They made Scotland a better place for us all and we continue to honour their memory.' The full list of Scottish public servants recognised are: Gwen Mayor, a teacher at Dunblane Primary School. Mrs Mayor was killed alongside 15 of her pupils on 13 March 1996. a teacher at Dunblane Primary School. Mrs Mayor was killed alongside 15 of her pupils on 13 March 1996. Roderick Nicolson, Tayside Fire and Rescue Service. Mr Nicolson, from Perth, died attempting to rescue two workmen from a silo of chemical dust at Perth Harbour. Whilst trying to free the workers Fireman Nicolson became trapped amid five tonnes of sodium carbonate ash. He died on 4 December 1995. Mr Nicolson, from Perth, died attempting to rescue two workmen from a silo of chemical dust at Perth Harbour. Whilst trying to free the workers Fireman Nicolson became trapped amid five tonnes of sodium carbonate ash. He died on 4 December 1995. Ewan Williamson, Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service. Firefighter Williamson was responding to a fire at the Balmoral Bar public house on Dalry Road in Edinburgh when he became trapped in the basement level with the fire. He was unable to escape and fellow firefighters were unable to locate him for a significant period of time. Firefighter Williamson died on 12 July 2009. Firefighter Williamson was responding to a fire at the Balmoral Bar public house on Dalry Road in Edinburgh when he became trapped in the basement level with the fire. He was unable to escape and fellow firefighters were unable to locate him for a significant period of time. Firefighter Williamson died on 12 July 2009. Richard Paul North, Tayside Police . Constable North was killed when on duty as a result of a collision with another vehicle, while driving near Perth in a marked police car. The other vehicle had crossed from the other carriageway into the oncoming traffic, and the driver was found to be under the influence of drink and drugs. PC North died on 17 March 1987. . Constable North was killed when on duty as a result of a collision with another vehicle, while driving near Perth in a marked police car. The other vehicle had crossed from the other carriageway into the oncoming traffic, and the driver was found to be under the influence of drink and drugs. PC North died on 17 March 1987. William Oliver, of the Glasgow Salvage Corps. Mr Oliver died in the Cheapside Street Disaster, a fire in a whisky bond. The warehouse contained more than a million gallons of whisky and 30,000 gallons of rum. As the temperature of the fire increased, some of the casks ruptured, causing a huge boiling liquid vapour explosion. This instantly killed Mr Oliver and 18 others. Mr Oliver died on 28 March 1960. Mr Oliver died in the Cheapside Street Disaster, a fire in a whisky bond. The warehouse contained more than a million gallons of whisky and 30,000 gallons of rum. As the temperature of the fire increased, some of the casks ruptured, causing a huge boiling liquid vapour explosion. This instantly killed Mr Oliver and 18 others. Mr Oliver died on 28 March 1960. Joseph Stewart Drake, Stirling and Clackmannan Constabulary . Constable Drake was killed when a stolen lorry being pursued by other officers intentionally struck his car as he tried to intercept it at Dennyloanhead near Falkirk. PC Drake died on 11 August 1967. . Constable Drake was killed when a stolen lorry being pursued by other officers intentionally struck his car as he tried to intercept it at Dennyloanhead near Falkirk. PC Drake died on 11 August 1967. Rodney (Rod) Moore, of the Scottish Ambulance Service. A retired ambulance paramedic of 40 years' service, Mr Moore, from Falkirk, returned to work with the Scottish Ambulance Service to assist with the Covid-19 pandemic response. Mr Moore contracted Covid-19 in October 2020 and died on 21 November 2020. A retired ambulance paramedic of 40 years' service, Mr Moore, from Falkirk, returned to work with the Scottish Ambulance Service to assist with the Covid-19 pandemic response. Mr Moore contracted Covid-19 in October 2020 and died on 21 November 2020. Alastair Soutar, HM Customs & Excise. Mr Soutar was crushed between a HM Customs and Excise vessel 'The Sentinel' and a smugglers' vessel the 'Ocean Jubilee'. Mr Souter, from Dundee, was taking part in Operation Balvenie off the Caithness coast to apprehend drug smugglers. Mr Soutar was airlifted to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness but died of his injuries on 29 July 1996. The next of kin may apply for the emblem to the Cabinet Office. Full details on the award, how to apply and who will be eligible are available here. Like this: Like Related
