A GRIEVING dad whose three children died in hospital after a blaze at their Renfrewshire home has paid tribute to his "little angels."
Fiona Gibson, 12, and her siblings Alexander James, eight, and five-year-old Philip were taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, in Glasgow, following the fire at the family's flat in Renfrew Road, Paisley, on Friday night.
Tragically, all three children died a short time after being admitted.
Their mum, 39-year-old Julie Daley, was also taken to hospital and remained in a critical condition yesterday.
Alex Gibson, the children's father, wrote on Facebook: "May u rest in peace little angels."
He later added: "How I miss them already, now I know what it feels like when ur world comes crashing down."
Flowers and cuddly toys were left at the scene over the weekend as neighbours in the Gallowhill area of town struggled to come to terms with the tragedy.
One passer-by said local people were "shocked" by what happened.
Among the flowers left at the scene were some from Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, who wrote on a card: "We are all so sorry for your heartbreaking loss.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with you all."
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon described the children's deaths as "heartbreaking."
She tweeted: "My thoughts are with all who loved these poor children. Fiona, Alexander and Philip – may you rest in peace."
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said six crews had been met with a "well developed" blaze in a first-floor property at around 9pm on Friday.
Police carried out inquiries in the area while teams in white protective suits could be seen in and around the flat.
"An investigation is underway to establish the exact circumstances of this incident," said a police spokesman. "Anyone who has information that could assist our enquiries should contact police via telephone number 101, quoting incident number 3,669 of June 19."
Read all the latest from Renfrewshire and beyond
******************
Scotland is in lockdown. Shops are closing and newspaper sales are falling fast. We're not exaggerating when we say the future of local newspapers and the vital service we have provided for many years is under threat.
Please consider supporting The Gazette in whatever way you can - by paying just 90p for a copy of the newspaper when you're shopping for essential supplies for yourself and others or by subscribing to our e-edition here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here