A heroic north-east fire chief who was reported missing from Aberdeen this week has been found dead hundreds of miles from his home.
Station manager Colin Laing spent more than 25 years saving lives at home and abroad – from battling the blaze at Ballater’s Royal Station in May to helping disaster survivors in some of the most dangerous regions of the world.
The 54-year-old, who was based at Portlethen, was last seen in the Kittybrewster area of the city on Wednesday morning.
Following a nationwide search, police found his body in the Bournemouth area on the south coast of England.
Last night a spokesman said there were no suspicious circumstances in relation to his death.
Mr Laing helped save the royal carriage when a blaze all but destroyed Ballater’s Royal Station last month and helped extinguish the flames of the recent deliberate fires at Aberdeen’s Broadford Works, among many others.
In 2004 he tackled the aftermath of the Stockline plastics factory explosion in Glasgow.
However, he was not content with merely helping at home, and also took part in rescue operations as far away as Kashmir and Algeria following natural disasters
He visited Pakistan after the horrific earthquake of 2005, which killed more than 80,000 people, as part of a team of Aberdeen firefighters.
He spoke of the experience at the time, saying: “We got off the helicopter and we were greeted by people who wanted to share their food with us, people who didn’t perhaps have a great deal to start with.
“They have lost a lot of what they did have and many had no idea where their children were. It’s extremely humbling.”
Mr Laing’s family in the Hilton area of the city were too upset to comment yesterday.
However, tributes poured in for the veteran firefighter who was described as a “well respected colleague” who would be sorely missed.
Head of service delivery in the north, deputy assistant chief officer, Andy Coueslant said: “We were deeply saddened to learn of the very sudden death of our friend and colleague, station manager Colin Laing.
“Colin was a well-known and very popular member of staff, with many good friends across the service and wider fire and rescue family.
“Our thoughts and sincere sympathies are with Colin’s family, friends and his colleagues who will be devastated at his loss.
“The service is currently in close contact with Colin’s family to provide all possible support at this extremely difficult time.”
Former Starthclyde fire chief Chris McGlone, an executive council member of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), said he got to know Mr Laing after the introduction of the joint force in 2013.
He said: “We are obviously shocked and deeply saddened to hear about this.
“Colin was a well-respected and experienced colleague who had given more than 25 years of service.
“I’m sure everyone in the FBU family will be glad to pay tribute to him. He will be sorely missed.”
Aberdeen councillor Martin Greig worked with Mr Laing as part of his role in the Aberdeen community safety partnership.
Mr Greig said: “It is very sad to hear this news. Colin Laing provided many years of unstinting professionalism that was dedicated in the service of others.
“His career demonstrated an enormous commitment to public safety and to the wellbeing of the community.
“He was involved in a great deal of good, positive work and was much respected.”