Four men are set to face trial after a Scottish dad died in Rome when a suspected gas blast destroyed his holiday B&B. Grant Paterson, 54, from East Kilbride, was left in a critical condition after the explosion brought down a three-storey building on March 22, 2025. He was pulled from the ruins but died at the Sant’Eugenio hospital nine days later, having suffered severe burns.
Explosion at Villa Pamphilj B&B
The explosion took place at the former stables of Villa Pamphilj, collapsing part of the Mamma Roma B&B where the Scot had been staying. As reported by the Herald, the manager, the owner of the building, the installer of the kitchen, and an architect have all been indicted by the Rome public prosecutor's office on various charges including forgery, culpable homicide and causing a public disaster through negligence.
Gas leak caused by incorrect installation
An investigation, ordered by deputy prosecutor Giovanni Conzo and carried out by police and a technical consultancy, attributed the explosion to a gas leak caused by the incorrect installation of the system in 2022. Documents related to the compliance of the property with health and safety laws have also been examined, and the architect has been accused of false certifications. The four men deny the charges levelled against them.
Victim's final days and tributes
Grant was said to be conscious when he was pulled from the rubble by mercy crews but suffered burns to 75 per cent of his body. He had undergone skin grafts and an operation to remove debris from his body. He was unable to recover from his injuries and died at Sant'Eugenio Hospital. Grant, who worked for CalMac, had arrived in Rome on March 17 to enjoy a solo trip. In a Facebook post after he arrived, he wrote: "Arrived in Rome, trains, planes, buses, and foot. Accommodation is beautiful. This should be a good week.....if I don't get killed in some ungodly way.... As it's just me I'm going to sit in a different bit every day."
Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said Rome was in mourning for Grant's family and ordered a full investigation. He said: "The death of Grant Paterson, the Scottish tourist involved in the explosion of the building in Monteverde, is news that saddens all of Rome. I want to express to his loved ones and his fellow citizens my personal closeness and condolences and those of the citizens. I truly hope that the investigations into the incident can quickly shed light on this terrible accident."
Tributes were paid by devastated pals who described Grant as a 'true gentleman', and a fundraiser launched to support Grant's daughter raised over £13,000. The building had also been the residence of the noted Italian writer and journalist Roberto Saviano, who has lived under police protection since 2006 after the publication of his book Gomorrah about the Neapolitan mafia. Following the explosion he wrote on social media: "I hadn't lived at 43 Via Vitellia for days. What heartbreak to see a place I so loved to live reduced to rubble."
