Neighbours of Tommy Sheridan's mother have paid tribute to a 'wee character' after she tragically died in a fire at her Glasgow home.
Fire crews raced to the home of Alice Sheridan, 84, on Invergyle Drive in Cardonald shortly before 8pm on Sunday night. The pensioner passed away at the scene.
It is understood the blaze was contained to Alice's property and emergency services worked to get the fire under control before it spread throughout the building. It is not yet known what started the blaze.
Worried neighbours told how they gathered in the street as firefighters ran inside the high-rise flats wearing breathing apparatus. Smoke was seen billowing out the property on the first floor.
Alice's neighbour, who lives upstairs from her flat, said: "It's an awful tragedy. We just heard all the sirens at around 8pm and knew something serious had happened.
"The emergency services arrived very quickly and the fire was contained to the flat so it didn't spread. Alice was a wheelchair user and she passed away at the scene. The emergency services left in the early hours of this morning."
She added: "It's terrible. She was a lovely woman and was well-known in the community."
Another neighbour said: "There were four or five engines outside, three ambulances and several police cars. The emergency services arrived really quickly.
"I rushed out to speak to the neighbours and make sure everyone was okay. We just saw some smoke but there were no flames. The fire seemed to be contained to the flat - but when we saw the fire brigade going in with the breathing apparatus we knew it was bad.
"My mum was her carer and she said she was a wee character, bless her. It's such a shame."
A third neighbour said: "We saw all the emergency services but they all left after a few hours. We didn't know she had passed away until this morning. It's a shame."
Former Glasgow MSP Tommy shared the devastating news on his social media pages late on Sunday night.
He wrote: “It is with great regret and broken hearts that myself and my two sisters Lynn and Carol have to inform our friends that our mum has sadly been taken from us last night. The circumstances surrounding her death are still being investigated but sadly she was claimed by a fire in her flat on Invergyle Drive in Cardonald.
“Alice Sheridan was an incredible mum to us but also a very proud grandmother, great-grandmother, mother-in-law, sister, aunt and friend to many. She was Govan born and bred and fought injustice all her life.
“She was a passionate trade unionist and socialist who believed a better world was possible if enough of us fought for it. Her work with bar staff to organise them into a union and secure better wages and conditions was inspiring.
“Her efforts to support the battered wives movement and secure trade union backing for a refuge is a matter of record and source of pride. Her pioneering work with child and adult victims of sexual abuse while employed by the Royal Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (RSSPCC) was ground breaking and a source of help for several hundreds.
“Her role in the titanic battle against Thatcher's poll tax was critical and pivotal in the success of that campaign. Her commitment to Scottish independence and opposition to the poisonous Murdoch media empire was peerless.
“She was some wummin. This contribution is painful to write but Alice will never be forgotten and her spirit will live on in our hearts and all those hearts of people who believe in fighting injustice and standing up against poverty and the abuse of power.
“Rest In Eternal Peace Mum. RIP Alice Sheridan."
Tributes to Alice have been flooding in with former SNP politician Alex Neil offering his condolences. He tweeted: "This is dreadful news. It's bad enough to lose your mum, it's especially difficult when it's so sudden but when it's in these circumstances it's devastating.
Another person wrote: "So very sad Thomas. I was very fond of Alice. She was such a source of kindness and encouragement in my life. RIP beautiful lady."
A third person said: "Met your mum many times during her work in helping women in difficult circumstances - she was absolutely passionate about helping others & a true inspiration. May she rest in eternal peace. Thinking of you & her family & friends at this time."
The former socialist politician lost his dad, Tommy Snr, back in 2017. The 80-year-old died following a battle with heart disease.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Officers received a report of a fire at a property on Invergyle Drive in Glasgow around 7.55pm on Sunday, March 12, 2023.
"Emergency services attended and an 84-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
"The fire was extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and inquiries into the circumstances are ongoing."
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