TRIBUTES have been paid to a Greenock man who tragically died in a house fire – including from the neighbour who desperately tried to rescue him.

Bus driver Alex Devine was first on the scene at Nicol Drive in the early hours of yesterday where David Hoey died following a blaze at his home.

Paramedics were unable to resuscitate the popular Greenock dad after he was pulled from the fire.

Alex, 48, lives in nearby Tasker Street and was coming home from an airport run when he raised the alarm.

After dialling 999 he then ran around the corner to the house and tried to gain entry but the intense heat and thick, black smoke drove him back.

Whilst waiting on the emergency services to arrive, he knocked neighbours’ doors to alert them.

Tragically Mr Hoey was pronounced dead at the scene and the ‘close-knit’ Bow Farm community is in shock.

Mr Devine said Mr Hoey, 57, was a quiet man who ‘kept himself to himself’.

He said: It’s such a pity.

“I tried to get in but the smoke was too much. It was 2.14am when I’d made the call.

“I came in from work and thought my car was burning because I was driving along the road and could smell smoke.

“When I got out I could see a lot of smoke billowing from the roof. 

“You could see a glow in the living room and when I got there I could see the blackness of the windows.

“I’m not an expert but I reckon the fire was going on for about half an hour before I got there.

“I ran round and opened the front door but the amount of smoke was too much.

“There was likely nobody in next door but I was banging the door to try and waken them in case they were sleeping.

“It was frustrating standing there unable to do anything.

“I started to think ‘what if I finished work 10 minutes earlier?’. But I did what I could.”

Mr Hoey was a regular at Greenock Model Yacht & Power Boat Club, based at Murdieston Dam, and members there were stunned to learn of his passing.

One man, who did not want to be named, said: “I’m shocked and very sorry to hear what has happened.

“I had only seen him on Monday - I was passing through the town and saw him and thought ‘I haven’t seen him for a long time’.”

Neighbours on Nicol Drive also paid tribute to Mr Hoey and said he was the sort of person who would never walk by without saying hello.

One woman, who did not want to be named, said: “He was a great guy. He was quiet and kept himself to himself.

“But if you needed any help he would help you. He would never pass you in the street and would always wave.

“We’re all really shocked this has happened. This is a good street and we all know one another.

“It’s very close-knit along here.

“David had been here since the houses were built about 19 or 20 years ago.

“He was a good person. Everybody feels the same way about him.”
Another resident added: “I feel really bad for his two sons and his daughter.

“It’s such a shame.”