Father of Paisley fire victims: 'Rest in peace little angels'

Fiona Gibson and her younger brothers Philip (left) and Alexander (right) died at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow

The father of three children who died after a flat fire in Paisley has paid tribute to his "little angels".

Fiona Gibson, 12, and her brothers Alexander, eight, and Philip, five, died following the blaze, which broke out at about 21:00 on Friday.

Their 39-year-old mother remains critically ill in the town's Royal Alexandra Hospital.

The children's father, Alex Gibson, wrote on Facebook: "may u rest in peace little angels".

He later added: "how I miss them already, now I know what it feels like when ur world comes crashing down".

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "Inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing.

"The 39-year-old woman remains in a critical condition within the RAH."

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said six fire crews were met with a "well developed" blaze in the upper cottage flat on Renfrew Road.

The siblings were taken to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow but died a short time later.

A JustGiving page was also posted on Mr Gibson's Facebook page, set up by a family friend,

The fundraiser hit its £10,000 target within hours, and raised more than £16,000 by Sunday evening.

Flowers and cuddly toys were left at the scene throughout the weekend.

Bishop John Keenan, of the Archdiocese of Paisley, said the "three lovely children" all attended nearby St Catherine's Primary School.

Bishop John Keenan said the local community was "absolutely devastated"

Speaking to BBC Scotland at the scene, Bishop Keenan said: "We are all absolutely devastated.

"Paisley is a small, close-knit town but this a tragedy on a national scale.

"You can feel the sadness right across the whole of the town."

One passer-by said local people were left "shocked" by what happened, and simply added: "God bless those weans."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: "No words are enough. It's just heartbreaking. My thoughts are with all who loved these poor children. Fiona, Alexander and Philip - may you rest in peace."

Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP Mhairi Black posted: "Just devastating. All over Renfrewshire we are mourning for you Fiona, Alexander and Phillip."

Among the flowers left at the scene were some from Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, who wrote on a card: "We are all so sorry for your heartbreaking loss. "Our thoughts and prayers are with you all."