Thick smoke fills the sky as flames ravage a millionaire’s mansion in Dunblane, Perthshire. Firefighters have been battling the blaze for hours and remain at the scene, trying to contain the raging fire.
Witnesses captured images and videos of the scene, showing large plumes of grey smoke visible from miles away. The property involved is believed to be the abandoned residence of Sir Reo Stakis, the late Cypriot hotel magnate who founded Stakis Hotels and passed away in Stirling in 2001.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We can confirm we are in attendance at Ochiltree in Dunblane. We received a call about 4:44 pm and are currently still on-site.” The spokesperson added that they dispatched four fire engines and a height appliance to the scene. Firefighters continue to work on controlling the fire.
Locals suggest that the property has a history of attracting squatters, with reports of previous vandalism and teenage parties. The mansion, built in the 1970s, is in a wooded area near Ledcameroch Gardens and the DoubleTree by Hilton Dunblane Hydro, a well-known hotel in the region.
Residents believe that a member of the Stakis family, possibly Sir Reo’s daughter, still owns the mansion but hasn’t visited in years. The interior is reportedly in a state of disrepair due to neglect and unauthorized use.
Sir Reo Stakis founded Stakis Hotels in 1930, building the company into a successful chain with its headquarters in Glasgow. He eventually sold the business to the Hilton Group for £1.2 billion at the turn of the century. Sir David Michels, the CEO of Stakis at the time, later became Chief Executive of the Hilton Group. The Dunblane Hydro remains part of the Hilton Group’s DoubleTree by Hilton chain.
As firefighters continue to work at the scene, it’s unclear what caused the fire or the extent of the damage. Local authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation once the fire is fully extinguished.
