‘Significant’ fire at Fife papermill spreads as fire crews race to scene from across Fife

Fire crews are tackling a major blaze at a papermill in Fife.

Emergency services raced to the scene at the Sapphire Paper Mill in Leslie at lunchtime. It is the second major blaze at the premises in less than a year.

Fire crews from four stations across Fife were dispatched to the scene (Pic: George McLuskie)

placeholder image — Fire crews from four stations across Fife were dispatched to the scene (Pic: George McLuskie)

The Scottish Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS) dispatched six appliances, including two specialist units, from no fewer than four stations across Fife.

The fire broke out at the Glenwood Road site just before 12.30pm. A spokesperson for the fire service said: “We have six appliances at the scene, including two specialist appliances – these are from Methil, Glenrothes, Lochgelly and Kirkcaldy. The fire is quite significant and has spread to a large extent.”

Local residents were told to keep windows and doors closed as the fire generated a large amount of smoke.

In December, 13 fire crews tackled a blaze at the same papermill. Sapphire Mill was formerly Fettykil Paper Mill which closed in 2006. The site was sold to Northumberland Fourstones Paper Mill and subsequently renamed.