A woman died in a house fire because she refused to leave her soulmate who she mistakenly believed was still trapped inside.
Melissa Shaw described how her mother Gail Lamb, 55, stayed in her burning house in Saline, Fife, on Friday night, because she thought her husband Derek, 62, was still inside.
But Derek had already escaped the inferno through the back of the house without his wife realising.
Neighbours tried to save Gail by climbing up a ladder to the top floor of their two-storey house but she refused to leave, saying: Where is Derek?
Speaking to a local newspaper today, Melissa, 35, said: Its like a tragic love story. My mum and Derek were just made for each other and idolised each other.
Neighbour Shelley White said: I saw the fire and ran outside but by this time my neighbours had already rung the emergency services.
Detective attacked her colleague lover because she seasoned her food
You could feel the heat from the house and the smoke was immense.
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Our neighbour, Sid, grabbed Gails hand from the top of the ladders and told her to get out but all she said was: Where is Derek?
She went back into the house looking for him but Sid managed to grab her hand for a second time and he was just screaming at her to get out but she wouldnt leave Derek.
There was nothing we could do, the fire was too bad.
Derek and Gail had been together for nearly 30 years before the horrific blaze broke out at their home on Friday night.
The blaze is believed to have started from an electrical appliance in the kitchen downstairs.
The couple were both asleep at the time of the fire, when Gail woke up first.
Both exits of the house were completely blocked by fire so Gail screamed for help at the front of the building while Derek shouted at the back.
Derek then managed to escape through the back of the the property but had said that he couldnt see a thing and he had no idea where Gail was.
Gail was later pronounced dead at the scene.
More: UK
Since the incident, Derek has been telling family members that he has lost his soulmate.
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Tributes of flowers have been left outside Gail and Dereks home in Saline since the fire.
A GoFundMe page has also been set up for the family by Laura Chesby, where £3900 has currently been raised.
The page read: Help support Gail Lambs family. On Friday evening a horrendous fire claimed the life of Gail Lamb.
Family, friends and the community are devastated by whats happened. If anyone is able to make a donation to help the family at this awful time it would be appreciated.
If youd like to donate, click here
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