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Man who died in tragic flat fire in Inverness named





Andrew Adams pictured in 2018 after undergoing two life-saving operations.
Andrew Adams pictured in 2018 after undergoing two life-saving operations.

A man who died in a devastating flat fire in Inverness has been named locally as Andy Adams.

Emergency services were called to the property above a row of shops in Tomatin Road just after 2am yesterday.

Mr Adams was a former director of Blend Tea & Coffee Merchants in Drummond Street.

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Originally from Glasgow, he and Gemma Taylor, with whom he founded Blend, have a daughter, Rebecca.

Ms Taylor posted on Blend’s Facebook page: “Andy, the co-founder of Blend, and my former partner, was unable to be saved in the fire on Wednesday night.

“While loss of property, belongings etc is awful, it doesn't really mean much compared to my daughter losing her dad and Andy's family losing a son, brother and uncle.

“The Blend team have been great, so will take a couple of days, then we'll cobble together something for opening next week. Thanks to everyone for their messages and support.

Mr Adams, who was well known in the Inverness hospitality sector, had previously been the manager at Bar One.

He had also been a member of the American Football team, the Highland Wildcats.

Six years ago, he described himself as “a walking miracle” after he underwent two life-saving operations after he fell and hit his head on the ground, resulting in multiple skull fractures.

In an interview with The Inverness Courier at the time, he related how two off-duty nurses, who were nearby, and a retired doctor had saved his life.

He also praised the care provided at the city’s Raigmore Hospital and at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where he underwent surgery to remove part of his skull which was then stored in his stomach to keep it ‘alive’ before being replaced three weeks later.

The surgery also left him with 77 staples in his skull.

Police Scotland said inquiries are ongoing into the cause of the fire.

Five fire crews spent five hours putting out the blaze which was reported to be at 7.13am but fire service personnel remained at the scene throughout the day.

Several residents had to be evacuated and the fire's location also impacted on a number of the businesses in the same block.


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