The owner of the fire-ravaged Royal Alexandra Infirmary had just been ordered to make repairs, we can exclusively reveal.
Fortunately, the mystery blaze on Wednesday night failed to destroy most of the heritage treasure after a rapid response from firefighters.
Residents in surrounding buildings had to be evacuated to safety after dark as crews fought to stop the flames spreading.
Luckily, fire teams have now confirmed nobody was injured.
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The owner, London-based petrol station tycoon Chelvatheebam Chelvam, has been trying and failing to flog the former Paisley hospital for a profit.
But he has sat on it for a DECADE and Renfrewshire Council had done little to force him into action - until campaigners recently tightened the screw.
Jim McIlroy, who leads the Save the RAI Paisley pressure group, said: “Questions have to be asked, people are furious.
“The fire is shocking and should never have been allowed to happen.”
In recent weeks, people have been seen inside parts of the rotting complex after dark, with mobile phone lights shining out windows off Neilston Road.
Millionaire Mr Chelvam paid just £364,000 for the old RAI in Calside in 2011.
The 63-year-old has, over the years, tried to sell it for £1m, but an auction six months ago with a guide price of £600,000 failed to attract a single bid.
The Express can reveal he was written to by Renfrewshire Council just a week before the blaze.
A senior official sent Mr Chelvam a letter on March 9 which a source confirmed laid out orders for specific repairs within a set deadline.
If there was no action from him, a formal council repairs notice would follow “at the earliest opportunity”.
Detectives and fire experts are continuing to probe the cause.
The rambling building had been left unsecure and vandalism is widespread inside.
The fire took hold in a roof space before 8pm, destroying a historic cupola.
Flames and a plume of smoke could be seen across a large area of the town.
Vikki Tennant was one of the adjoining residents evacuated and she said: “I can say this was one of my worst nightmares - the derelict building going on fire and risking lives in the flats.
“Thank God, it was brought under control and all residents evacuated before it was too late.
“It’s devastating that an old building could have been destroyed, but also terrifying that there could have been a human cost.
“It was awful that my neighbours and friends have had to leave their homes and live with the very real fear that they could lose everything.”
Jim McIlroy said there had not been enough action on the site from Renfrewshire Council and that he is “saddened” at what has happened to a huge part of Paisley’s heritage.
He visited the site yesterday and said: “We had gained momentum, but this is not the end of the story. It will spur us all along and has made me even more determined.
“Fortunately, the RAI was very well built and has concrete floors. The only way to damage it beyond repair is for a fire to be set in the top floor to take out the roof trusses and the turrets.
“I would say this building is practically indestructable and was cleverly designed by arguably the best architect that ever came out of Paisley.
“I will be continuing to talk to Renfrewshire Council, they definitely have questions to answer here.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “We were alerted at 7.54pm on Wednesday, March 16, to reports of a derelict building on fire at Calside, Paisley.
“Operations Control mobilised four fire appliances and two height vehicles to a fire affecting the roof space of a four-storey derelict building.
“There are no reported casualties at this time and crews are currently still at the scene.”
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Around 8pm on Wednesday, March 16, police received reports of a building on fire in Neilston Road, Paisley.
“Emergency services attended and a number of residents from nearby properties were evacuated as a precaution.
“There are no reports of any injuries.
“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”
Renfrewshire councillors Marie McGurk and Kenny MacLaren were working with officials to give support to the evacuated residents.
Councillor McGurk said: “I want to reassure all residents that the council will do what it can to help support those directly affected by this fire.
“I am in contact with senior council officers to see what help and support can be given.
“I would like to commend the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for trying to control this blaze while ensuring the safety of all local residents.
Councillor MacLaren added: “There have been a number of issues from this site due to an owner who simply isn’t interested in securing the property and making sure that no one could enter it.
“A key part of Paisley’s history was on fire and it angers me that this could be due to building owners who turn a blind eye to security failings on their properties.
“I would hope a thorough investigation will take place and those responsible are brought to justice.”
Paisley heritage campaigner Cameron Swanson said the fire was “unbelievable”.
He said: “The only people that lose out here are the community."
Part of the B-listed building - the Peter Coats-funded nurses’ home - was converted into flats, known as Alexandra Gate, in 1995.
The 234-bed hospital was designed by Thomas Graham Abercrombie and opened in 1900.
It had three pavilions, a separate block to handle infectious patients and even a 100-seater chapel.
The NHS shut it 35 years ago when the Royal Alexandra Hospital opened off Craw Road.
A care home operated until 2008 before it was sealed off and placed on the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland in 2010.
Permission was granted in 2006 and now lapsed for 35 homes within the existing building and 12 new build flats within the 2.31 acre site.
Renfrewshire Council has previously said it “shares the frustration of the local community” at its state.
Yesterday, a spokesman said: “We were saddened to see the fire at the former Royal Alexandra Infirmary site.
“The building is in private ownership, and we had been in recent discussions with the owner regarding its repair and redevelopment.
“We provided three residents with emergency accommodation following the fire until they were able to return safely to their homes.”
The owner of the RAI wasn’t available for comment.
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