By Ben Supple

FIREFIGHTERS STAGED a dramatic rescue early yesterday, saving the lives of four adults trapped by a blaze in a block of flats near Glenrothes.

Among them was a pregnant woman, who was led to safety through a fourth-floor window and down a ladder.

All four were taken to Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, where they were treated for smoke inhalation.

Twenty firefighters were called to 69 Tarves Place, Collydean, shortly before 2 am.

Kirkcaldy assistant divisional officer David Wishart ran the operation.

He said, “We found two people hanging out of a fourth-floor window—one a pregnant lady—and two others on the second floor.

“They were promptly rescued by ladder.

“A one-bedroomed first-floor flat was engulfed in flames and this had affected the stairwell, effectively trapping the people inside.

“Their lives were in imminent danger because they had no alternative means of escape.

“In fact, some of the locals were enticing them to jump.

“It was very lucky indeed that there were so few people inside a 12-flat building.”

ADO Wishart praised the fire staff involved.

“I must say the crew did a fantastic job, controlling the fire while carrying out the rescue.

“Also, upon our arrival our support staff were giving advice to one of the people inside on how to stay as safe as possible in such circumstances.

“You can do this by putting things under doors to keep smoke out and moving as far away from the fire as possible—preferably towards a window for air and so we can see someone’s position as soon as we get there.”

The block, which is owned by Fife Council, remained empty yesterday to allow an investigation into the fire’s cause to be carried out. Its tenants have been offered temporary accommodation.

Near neighbour Harry Chalk, whose son was among the firefighters called out, was among the eight people who alerted the emergency services.

He said, “When I first glanced out of my window having heard a noise I thought the light had come from the street lamps.

“But then I realised it was a bad fire—my son told me they always know that’s the case when so many telephone them.

“I don’t know anyone who was inside because there’s always folk coming and going in those flats.”