Family Of Scottish Firefighter Killed On Duty Sues

March 27, 2012
The firefighter was killed three years ago. But there has been no investigative report about the incident.

The family of a Scottish firefighter killed in the line of duty almost three years ago is suing the fire board saying it's unacceptable that no investigative report has been done.

Ewan Williamson, 35, was killed July 12, 2009 while fighting a fire in Balmoral Bar, according to Fife Today

His death was the first ever in the history of the Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service.

The family's lawyer says the family believes  mistakes were made on the night he died and hope to achieve "answers and justice" through the court case.

The family's solicitors have also criticised the "unacceptable" length of time it has taken the Crown Office to decide what action it will take following the firefighter's death, the newspaper reported.

"With this action we hope to get answers and justice. Almost three years have passed since Ewan lost his life and we have waited patiently for the authorities to investigate what happened and either prosecute those they hold responsible or hold a fatal accident inquiry into Ewan's death.

"Despite the passage of time, we still do not know all the facts or why Ewan died. We believe something went wrong that night and we want to know why."

Roddy Robertson, the Fire Brigade Union executive council member for Scotland, told reporters it shared the family's interest in finding out what happened that night.

He said: "In the absence of any fatal accident inquiry or prosecution after this length of time it is necessary for both the Williamson family and the future safety of firefighters that this action is taken."

News of the suit came on the same day that firefighters were warned that the high civilian death toll in the city was unacceptable.

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