Scots man killed in horror Jersey explosion as tributes paid to 'dear friend'

A Scots man has been named as one of seven victims believed to have died in a deadly explosion on Jersey at the weekend.

Raymond 'Raymie' Brown was named by the State of Jersey Police after the explosion at the Haut du Mont building in the St Helier area of the Channel Island on Saturday.

Dozens of tributes have been paid to 71-year-old Raymond, who was originally from the King's Park area of Glasgow and a former pupil at King's Park Secondary School.

One friend said on Facebook: "We are going to miss you so much, my spare room will always be called Raymie's room. RIP our dear friend."

Another wrote: "So sad. A very nice and funny guy. RIP mate, God bless."

A third friend said: "Will be sadly missed, always made me laugh in anticipation of those punchlines and that laugh. RIP Raymie x"

Emergency personnel at the scene of the explosion. (Aaron Chown/PA Wire)

Another heartbroken pal added: "Aww I'm truly gutted. You always looked immaculate and could always hear your laugh from miles away, often making everyone laugh around you. You will be missed so much."

The other people whose identities have been released by police are Peter Bowler, 72, Romeu and Louise De Almeida, 67 and 64, Derek and Sylvia Ellis, 61 and 73, and 63-year-old Billy Marsden.

The police previously said that five people were confirmed dead in the incident with an “assumption” that four people remain unaccounted for.

Residents in North Quay Parade, close to the site of the explosion, are now being allowed to return to their homes after the cordon around the site of the deadly blast was reduced on Monday.

The cause of the explosion, which happened in the early hours of Saturday morning, is still under investigation. Nearby properties were damaged as brickwork and windows were hit by debris.

A States of Jersey Police spokeswoman said: “The families of seven Islanders missing since the incident at the Haut du Mont site on Pier Road, have released their identities.

Floral tributes near the scene of the explosion. (PA)

“The families, supported by officers within the Family Liaison Team, made the decision this afternoon as the recovery operation continues.

“The identities of the other Islanders will be released at a later date.”

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.

READ NEXT:

• Pupil at 'war zone' Scots school tried to take own life after vile homophobic attacks

• "It's like watching a child" - Wife of Alzheimer's patient in desperate plea as Brexit set to delay new drug

• Terminally ill OAP left without washer and dryer after signing up for government-funded scheme

• Scots OAP with Alzheimer's suffers hypothermia after getting lost while walking his dogs

• Manager of Scots nursery where child was burned by bleach and boiling water allowed to keep job