By Gordon Berry

THE OCCUPANTS of a number of houses in the Fife community of Kettlebridge had to be evacuated last night as firefighters dealt with acetylene cylinders which had to be cooled as a result of a blaze.

The alarm was raised shortly after 5pm when two units of Fife Fire and Rescue Service were called out to Haughfield Terrace, and at first it was thought the fire was confined to a hedge.

Later, however, it was discovered that some sheds were also affected, and the overheating cylinders were found.

Police were called to the scene, and roads around the area were closed off.

The fire and rescue service decided that for safety reasons houses in a 100 metres radius around the site should be cleared of their occupants while special equipment, including a ground monitor water sprayer, was used.

Fife Council’s emergency planning team also acted to open the local village hall to the residents affected.

Social workers, halls staff, housing officials and representatives of the WRVS all gathered at Kettle Hall to help and it is understood around 20 people had to be found alternative overnight accommodation.

Senior Fife Council housing manager John Mills was at the scene, and he said it appeared that most people had chosen to spend the night with friends and family, while others were put up at a local hotel after being given the chance to collect belongings from their homes.

The senior fire officer at the scene was Thornton’s group manager Iain Kelly.

He said although the fire had been quickly extinguished, acetylene cylinders, and other gas cylinders had been discovered at the sheds.

He added that the cooling operation had to be carried out to minimise the chance of further damage.

Mr Kelly said a unit from the fire and rescue service would remain on site for at least 24 hours.

Police Sergeant Phil Davison said the incident could potentially have been very serious.

The cordon and road closures will remain until the area is declared safe, probably early this evening.