Hundreds pay respects at Edinburgh firefighter's funeral

Family, friends and colleagues began to arrive in Edinburgh for a funeral service in St Giles' Cathedral.

Around 650 people were due to fill the cathedral on the Royal Mile for the service, which will be conducted by the moderator of the Presbytery of Edinburgh, Reverend Peter Graham.

Mr Williamson, who was based at Edinburgh's Tollcross fire station, and his colleagues were sent to extinguish a severe fire at the Balmoral pub in Dalry Road in the early hours of Sunday, July 12.

About 70 firefighters attended the blaze and at least 20 people were rescued from flats above the pub.

Another firefighter, 29-year-old Oliver Carrigan, was injured.

Today Mr Carrigan and other members of the station's Green Watch will be the pallbearers.

Firefighters stood in four ranks outside St Giles', where crowds lined the Royal Mile.

Mourners arrived on foot and by bus at the church, where floral bouquets had been left by the door.

The street, normally buzzing with tourists at this time of year, was silent.

The quiet was broken by a choir singing, played once through speakers outside the cathedral. A church organ and bagpipes could also be heard.

Two firefighters in dress uniform with distinctive white helmets stood either side of the cathedral in Parliament Square.

A lone piper led the funeral procession down the Royal Mile to the church followed by scores of firefighters.

Mr Williamson's coffin was carried on the back of a fire engine draped in red cloth with a yellow helmet on top.

A floral tribute on the front of the engine spelled out "Tollcross".

Six of Mr Williamson's former green watch colleagues took the coffin from the engine, then carried it in silence up the stairs to the church where the service got under way.

During the one-hour service, George Grubb, Lord Provost of Edinburgh, led the tributes.

"Ewan Williamson lost his life fighting a fire in the city - and he lost it on our behalf," he said.

Mr Grubb said Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service has a "great tradition of responding to calls that could endanger their lives".

He added: "Whatever the situation, it requires discipline, skill, courage and ingenuity that come with years of experience and training.

"Teamwork counts and firefighters know the importance of that - Ewan was a member of a team.

"Edinburgh mourns him but it also gives thanks that one of its own firefighters gave his life in the service of others."

Mr Grubb offered his sympathy to Mr Williamson's family, friends and the fire service in his address.

Brian Allaway, Lothian and Borders chief fire officer, described his former colleague as a "firefighter's firefighter".

He offered sympathy to Mr Williamson's family and friends, and said: "Ewan was determined and focused when it came to his job.

"He possessed a quiet and determined resolve.

"Very quickly he became a role model for some of the younger members."

He said all of his skills and attributes were "put to the test" in the severe fire in Dalry which claimed Mr Williamson's life.

The firefighter paid the "ultimate sacrifice" while trying to save the lives of others, Mr Allaway said.

About 600 mourners gathered in the church for the service.

The Rev Peter Graham, moderator of the Presbytery of Edinburgh, told the congregation: "We have come together today - not only from this city but from many places - to share with family, friends and colleagues of Ewan Williamson our sense of sadness and loss."

Mr Williamson's mother, Linda, and his sisters, Rachael and Rebecca, sat in the front row, along with his partner, Lynsey Baird.

At the end of the service, Mr Williamson's colleagues from Green Watch again picked up the coffin and carried it out.

Mr Allaway followed, with Mr Williamson's family leaving behind him.

They then attended a private service at the city's Mortonhall Crematorium.