Elderly islander found dead 30/10/11
An elderly islander has been found dead after fire services were called to reports of a fire on Harris this afternoon (Sun).
He was named locally as Kenny Mackenzie of The Moorings, Leverburgh and is said to be in his early eighties.
The alarm was raised after lunchtime and fire tenders attended the scene in Strond Road in Leverburgh.
Members of the Leverburgh fire brigade are believed to have found his body in the front room of his cottage over looking the Sound of Harris when the alarm was raised.
They were responding to reports of a fire at the address. The circumstances of Mr Mackenzie’s death will not be clear until tomorrow (Mon) though it is understood police are treating it as a sudden death.
It is understood Mr Mackenzie was dead when they arrived. Other fire tenders were summoned but stood down before they reached the scene.
Highlands and Islands Fire Service said they were called out to an alert of a fire at the address at around 2.20pm and a fatality was involved.
The emergency services were still on scene late tonight as local fire and police officers launched an investigation.
A police spokesman said: “Inquiries are ongoing. A statement is expected to be issued later.”
Locals said they were shocked at Mr Mackenzie’s death. They said he lived quietly and was well liked in the community.
Mr Mackenzie worked in the construction industry on the mainland for many years driving heavy trucks and operating industrial plant. He also worked as a digger driver for an island firm before he retired in his mid sixties.
He never married and lived on his own. It is believed he has surviving siblings.