About a quarter to nine last night, it was observed that fire had broken out in the upper flat of the two-storey tenement at 96 Broomlands. The fire, it was found, was in the back bedroom of a room and kitchen house occupied by Mrs Weddell and her family. When entrance was got to the house it was discovered that the fire was confined to the one room, which was like a furnace with heat. Two men—named Jas. Little, 93 Broomlands, and John L. Alexander, 8 West Street—forced their way into the room and discovered Mrs Weddell, who is a widow about 60 years of age, lying on the bed in an unconscious condition.
They at once removed her to the druggist’s shop next door, where Dr Aney examined her and pronounced life to be extinct. The body was slightly burned, but death is supposed to be due to suffocation.
The fire brigade, which had been summoned, quickly extinguished the flames, and the damage done to the property will only amount to about £20. The fire is supposed to have originated through a tidy on a looking-glass setting in contact with the gas flame. A large sheet full of clothing was partially burned, the floor was burned through, and the windows smashed, while the heat had blistered all the paint in the room. The damage is covered by insurance. Mrs Weddell’s three daughters lived with her, but at the time of the occurrence they were out.
Originally published: Paisley Daily Express, Saturday 2nd November 1895.