Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Father and children die in fire

Friday 29 May 1998 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

FOUR young children and their 30-year-old father died in a fire at a flat in Renfrew, near Glasgow, yesterday after a light was dropped in the back bedroom, where three boys were sleeping.

Strathclyde Fire Brigade said there was a smoke alarm in the house, but they could find no evidence of a battery.

The fire started at around 6am. A ground-floor neighbour ran up to the third floor and kicked down the door before being beaten back by the thick smoke. The children's mother and grandmother managed to escape along with a fifth child who was last night in hospital in a critical condition.

Police named the victims as John Lilley and four of his children: John, nine, Anne Louise, six, and three-year-old twins Brian and Michael. Another daughter, 10-year-old Cherelle, was transferred to Glasgow's Yorkhill Hospital where her condition was critical. The children's mother Janet McLean, 33, and grandmother Ann Lilley, 55, were treated for the effects of smoke inhalation at the city's Southern General Hospital.

A police spokesman said the cause of the fire was still being investigated, but that it was probably due to a dropped light.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in