Cameron House: Parents devastated by son’s death in fire

The devastated parents of a man who died in the Cameron House Hotel fire have asked their local church to pray for them as they come to terms with the tragedy.

Richard Dyson, 38, and Simon Midgley, 32, died when the blaze ripped through the five-star resort at Loch Lomond.

The couple were residents at the hotel when the fire happened shortly after 6.40am on Monday.

Their son, from Wetherby in West Yorkshire, was a TV producer.

Mr Midgley, of Worksop, Nottinghamshire, was a freelance journalist for the London Evening Standard while also running his own PR firm.

In an online post, the Dyson family’s minister, John Payne, of Hope Church in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, said: “I’m afraid I’m writing with the tragic news that Roger Dyson’s son was one of the fatalities in the Loch Lomond fire today.

“As you can imagine both Roger and Val are devastated. They have asked us to pray for them and the family.

“Please pray for them, for the God of all comfort to make his presence so powerfully known in the midst of their pain. Our hearts go out to them and I’m sure they’d welcome your love and support at this awful time.”

Evening Standard editor George Osborne said: “The team here at the Standard are very sad to hear the awful news about Simon and Richard.

“We will miss Simon’s adventurous spirit. Everyone sends our thoughts and prayers to his family at this impossible time.”

Digital director David Tomchak added: “Simon was a talented writer with a natural charm and curiosity. The Evening Standard will miss him sorely.”

Events in January have been cancelled while investigations continue into the cause of the fire.

An online post by a customer said: “So so sorry for the loss of two young lives at your hotel, just a tragic situation. Just a little note – my work was due to have our after Christmas do on January 13.

“Alison, the events manager, called me today and obviously explained the circumstances and why it has to be cancelled.

“She has totally went out of her way to try and accommodate 120 people mid January at another hotel. Amazing girl. Entirely grateful and we will be back when you are ready and at your best as a great hotel.”

Another event has been moved to Mar Hall, a five-star hotel in Bishopton, Renfrewshire.

The hotel has been contacted for comment on the cancellations.

In a previous statement, the organisation said: “The very swift actions of the emergency services undoubtedly prevented further tragedy and I cannot begin to thank them for their bravery, compassion and professionalism.

“Everyone associated with Cameron House Hotel is still coming to terms with the events of Monday and we are all hugely conscious that two people tragically lost their lives in the fire.”