ABOUT 300 PEOPLE had to be evacuated from their homes and main east coast rail services re-routed after a blaze at a Kirkcaldy tyre firm at the weekend.

A 200-metre exclusion zone was thrown around AD Tyres, Millie Street, after an acetylene cylinder ignited during welding work at the rear of the premises just after 10 am on Saturday, triggering a major operation by 999 services and emergency planners.

The actual fire was quickly doused by firefighters but, owing to the cylinder threat, police officers had to knock on 140 doors in the area and ask families to vacate as soon as possible and stay away for 24 hours.

As the guilty cylinder was cooled over several hours, the nearby rail line lay within the exclusion zone so Edinburgh/Aberdeen traffic was diverted via Cowdenbeath while Kirkcaldy/ Cowdenbeath trains were replaced by bus services until 9.30 am yesterday.

“No one was injured but the potential for the cylinder to explode led to an evacuation of all houses and premises within the danger zone, which included the A921 St Clair Street, Millie Street, Commercial Street, Factory Road, Junction Road and Chief’s Close,” said Inspector Bruce Thomson.

Staff in shops and other firms and premises nearby were sent home and Fife Council set up a temporary refuge in Pathhead Primary School, though most people went to friends or relatives.

Later on Saturday afternoon the exclusion was reduced to 100 metres, meaning most people were able to go home. However, 11 people required bed and breakfast accommodation.

The incident proved a big test of council emergency procedures.

“It’s been a very serious incident in terms of resources,” said a council spokesperson.

Local councillor Bert Ritchie, for years a senior fire officer handling such events, attended the scene and saw the operation at first hand.

“I must say I was very impressed at the way this was handled,” he said.

“The number of departments involved—education, catering, transport and so on—shows what a large operation this was.

“I believe some traders were unhappy at the loss of trade, but I’m sure they would understand that acytelene is a volatile compressed gas and the procedures to deal with it under these circumstances have to be observed rigorously,” said Councillor Ritchie.