Police officers unable to access Inverness building where man died in fire
Police officers have yet to gain access to an Inverness building where a man died in a tragic fire 11 days ago.
Andy Adams lost his life following the blaze in a flat above a row of shops in Tomatin Road, Hilton, in the early hours of July 11.
As inquiries continue, a one minute silence was held for Mr Adams, a former American football player with the Highland Wildcats, in a poignant tribute at the start of a four-team Scottish Championship tournament in Inverness.
Many who died in tragic fire named
Inquiries by police and fire officers ongoing after man dies in Inverness blaze
Five fire crews spent five hours putting out the blaze after being called to the scene along with other emergency services just after 2am.
Several residents had to be evacuated and the fire's location also impacted on several businesses in the same block.
Although police retain a presence at the site, a Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Officers have yet to gain access to the building due to structural issues so all we can confirm at this stage is that inquiries are ongoing.”
The spokesperson said but it was not officers who confirmed the structural safety of a building and was unable to give any timescales.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was unable to comment further as the investigation was ongoing.
Highland Council has also been contacted for comment.
Mr Adams was a former director of Blend Tea & Coffee Merchants in Drummond Street. He and his former life and business partner, Gemma Taylor, had a daughter, Rebecca.
He was also a former player with the Highland Wildcats which held a minute’s silence in his memory at the start of a four-team tournament in which the Wildcats retained their status as Scottish Champions for the third year running.
The visiting teams, Paisley Bears, the Glasgow Tigers and the East Kilbride Pirates, also paid their respects.
Ben Senior, head coach of the Highland Wildcats, said a decision was made for all four teams to stand around the field with the officials in the middle to take a moment.
“The other coaches appreciated it as well, because it is a team sport and we’re all friends off the pitch,” he said.
“We all talk to each other, so I think they found it important for their guys to realise how close of a community American football in the UK is.
“The entire Wildcats family send their condolences to Andy’s family, and we’re here to support them if they need anything.”
He said it was “incredibly important” to remember Andy.
“It shows the younger kids that the Wildcats are a family, and once you’ve played for us and given all your effort, people remember that,” he said.
“Even though the players would never have met Andy Adams, it was important for them to know that once you’re part of the family, you’re in it for life and we all stick together.
“There are a couple of guys on the coaching staff that played with Andy, myself included, back in the days when we were young and healthy.
“It was good for us to reflect on how great of a guy he was, and it was really important for us all to remember that life is short and you have to embrace all the opportunities you get when you get them.”
Mr Senior said although Mr Adams did not play with the Wildcats for very long, he instantly became a larger than life personality in the team.
“He always had something to say or a crazy idea, and he kept the spirit of the team up so it was shocking to see that he had gone,” he said.
“I was speaking to him just the week before and he was talking about trying to come back and play some flag football - the non-contact version of the sport - to get back into it a bit.
“We were all really shocked and saddened by his passing.”
An online crowdfunding appeal has also been launched on GoFundMe for Ewa Szabela, a member of staff at the city’s Kingsmills Hotel, who lost everything when her flat was destroyed.
So far, it has raised £5065.
It has been organised by Craig Ewan, the hotel’s manager, who said on the appeal page that the support and generosity from everyone has been amazing.
He said Ewa was overwhelmed with the entire situation but so very grateful for the support from so many.
“Ewa shared with me that when times are as hard as they are for her at present, she has comfort that she is not alone with so many friends pulling together, to support her, in her time of need,” he said.
“This is so humbling, and despite all the challenges we have in the world at present, life is a better place with people like you around us.”
