Lochgelly fire: two arrested in probe into major blaze at flats

The blaze broke out Francis Street, prompting a major response from the emergency services.

Around 25 residents were able to escape without injury from the 12 flats, but the area remains cordoned off as the clear-up operation continues.

Police Scotland said that a man, aged 33 and a woman, aged 30, were arrested today in connection with the incident. Enquiries are ongoing.

Emergency services raced to Francis Street around 7:00pm. last night. Two ambulances were reported to have attended although there were no injuries. Some people were evacuated from their homes, and locals urged to keep their windows closed because of the smoke.

Flames could be seen pouring out of the top of the four-storey block of 12 flats as the fire took hold on the top floor. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) dispatched seven crews after receiving a call,and firefighters remain at the scene.

A spokesperson said: “We received the alarm at 7.05pm of a fire at a block of flats in Lochgelly. We currently have seven fire appliances as well as several other specialist appliances at the scene.”

Witnesses spoke of the fire engulfing the top of the flats - it could be seen from some distance away.

Police in Fife urged people to avoid the area, and, on Twitter, they added: “Some residents have been evacuated and a rest centre has been set up at the Lochgelly Centre on Bank Street for anyone affected. Local residents are urged to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke.

Lochgelly Salvation Army sent its emergency vehicle to the scene to offer food and drink to the emergency workers and people affected by the fire.

Police have urged people to avoid the area while operations continue.

All bar one of the flats is owned by Fife Council which had officers at the scene alongside the emergency services.

Shona Robertson,emergency resilience manager, said: “Thankfully everyone was safely evacuated from the 11 council owned and one privately owned flat affected. We opened an emergency rest centre managed by emergency centre volunteers at Lochgelly Town Hall to provide shelter and refreshments until alternative accommodation was organised.

“The building standards and public safety team has arranged for temporary fencing to make the area safe and a full assessment of the building will be carried out later today. There are also signed road diversions in the area. We will now be making sure those evacuated from their homes receive the support they need.”

Area Commander Kenny Barbour is the Local Senior Officer for Clackmannanshire, Fife and Stirling. He said: “We were alerted at 7.05pm on Monday to reports of a dwelling fire at Francis Street, Lochgelly.

“At its height, Operations Control mobilised a total of seven appliances and two specialist appliances where crews extinguished a fire affecting a top floor flat within a four-storey building. There were no reports of any casualties involved.

“As of today, two fire appliances and one high reach appliance remain on scene as crews work to dampen down the area and bring the incident to a safe conclusion.”