Firefighter Alan Brown dies in fall outside Bert's Bar in Edinburgh
A man found dead outside an Edinburgh pub was an off-duty firefighter, it has emerged.
Alan Brown, 46, fell into an outside basement area of Bert's Bar in William Street at about 01:40 on Friday.
The watch manager's colleagues were called to the incident but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
His wife Sarah said he was a "beloved husband and father" while senior fire officer John Dickie described him as popular and "larger than life".
In a statement released through the fire service, Mrs Brown said: "Alan was a beloved husband and father. He will be greatly missed. As a family we now need time to come to terms with this tragic event and grieve Alan's loss."
Mr Dickie, senior fire officer for Edinburgh, said he was devastated to hear of the death.
"Alan had been off duty and on a night out when he was discovered fatally injured in the early hours of Friday morning," he said.
"Crews from Tollcross and Newcraighall fire stations were mobilised to the incident following reports that a man had fallen into a basement at William Street, Edinburgh.
"Firefighters used line rescue equipment to recover him and move him to the waiting ambulance but tragically Alan was pronounced dead at the scene.
"Our thoughts and sincere sympathies are with Alan's family, friends and his colleagues who will be devastated at his loss."
Andy Fulton, Fire Brigades Union secretary for the east of Scotland, said: "We are devastated about the news of Alan's death. He was a great friend and colleague and he will be sorely missed by everyone in the fire service.
"He was a big character who was always smiling and joking. Everyone who knew Alan will have fond memories and no doubt a few funny stories about his antics.".
Police earlier appealed for anyone with information to contact them.
Det Sgt Neil Spowart, of Police Scotland, said: "We know that the male had been within licensed premises in the area earlier that evening before later being found in the external basement of Bert's Bar.
"Our inquiries are now trying to establish his movements prior to his death and we are keen to hear from anyone who remembers seeing him on Thursday evening or the early hours of Friday morning.
"In particular, we would like to trace a male and female who are believed to have spoken with the man outside of the pub at around 00.30.
"These individuals, and anyone else with information relevant to this investigation, are asked to contact police immediately."