Rosepark inquiry ends after 141 days of evidence

Scores of witnesses including victims' relatives and the home's owner Thomas Balmer were questioned at the inquiry which began in Motherwell in November.

The blaze at the Rosepark care home in Uddingston, Lanarkshire, in 2004 started in a cupboard and ripped through the building, leaving 14 dead and injuring a further four residents.

Sheriff Principal Brian Lockhart drew the inquiry to a close yesterday. Documents used fill 145 lever arch files.

In a break with protocol, submissions by the parties involved normally heard following the close of evidence will be made in writing instead.

Sheriff Principal Lockhart said: "This inquiry has been noteworthy both in respect of the length of the proceedings and the number and complexity of the issues that have arisen.

"In this inquiry, in my opinion, it is not practicable to hold a full oral hearing at which parties will give their full submissions.

"In this instance, I think it is appropriate that parties should submit written submissions for my consideration."

The inquiry was set up to try to establish the full circumstances of the blaze and prevent a similar tragedy. It will reconvene for a hearing in January at Hamilton Sheriff Court.

The Sheriff Principal will then publish his findings.

Care home owners Thomas, Anne and Alan Balmer are being represented along with Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, Lanarkshire Health Board and the Care Commission. Two Crown attempts to prosecute the Balmers collapsed after judges dismissed the charges against them.