NEWS: Fire victim's fiancé tells of torment

MARK McLAUGHLIN
Evening News (Edinburgh)
June 29, 2010, Tuesday

THE former fiancé of a mum-of-three who died in a house fire said he is distraught that they won't get the chance to patch up their relationship.

Tommy Simpson has set up tribute websites to Angela Campbell, who died in the ferocious fire at her three-bedroom home in the Dedridge area of Livingston during the early hours of Saturday morning.

Miss Campbell, a former James Young High School pupil, had three children - Jordan, five, Ryan, two, and Mia, one - who were only spared because they were staying with relatives.

Mr Simpson wrote on the sites: "We were going to get back together. Ang, in my eyes you will always be my woman.

"The kids are totally great and missing you loads, but I know you are going to be with them every minute of every day.

"Everyone knows that Ang and I had our ups and downs just like everyone else and that we were engaged.

"At the end of the day she was always there for me and I was always there for her."

Mr Simpson was too upset to speak when contacted by the Evening News.

He has transformed Miss Campbell's former Facebook and Bebo sites into tribute pages, where friends have been leaving messages since her death.

Friend Leigh Doherty said: "You treasure those babies of yours. Spoil them even more now and remind them of mummy every day. Chin up Tommy. Try to be strong."

Miss Campbell had recently signed up for a college course at Stevenson College, to do adult learning classes in English, maths and information technology. She was also looking forward to a holiday in Magaluf with her friends next year.

Her site also reveals she was an indie and dance music fan, and a Rangers supporter.

Friends and neighbours were still stopping yesterday to lay flowers at her doorstep.

Isabell Martin, 70, who lives close to Angela's parents, said: "She was such a lovely young girl, it is really so sad for the mum and dad, and for the little kids.

"I know her family are taking it very hard, especially her dad Paul: I don't think he's coping too well. No wonder, though: no parent should ever have to say goodbye to their child."

A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue said that police and fire investigation teams are still trying to establish the cause of the blaze.

The spokeswoman added that council teams would decide whether the damage was severe enough to require demolition.