The owner of a Glenrothes pub has told how he was met with a scene of “devastation” after a wilful fire was started in the flat above.
Firefighters were called to the Woodside Inn on Woodside Way just after 7.30am on Friday.
The pub is largely unscathed with hopes it will be able to reopen for the weekend, but there is damage to the flat upstairs.
No one was hurt in the incident, which caused long tailbacks on nearby roads.
Police have now confirmed the fire is being treated as deliberate.
George Stewart, who runs the pub, said: “It was just devastation when we arrived this morning.
“The bedroom in the flat above the pub has been badly damaged and there is some smoke damage within the rest of the flat.
“The pub itself is in no way damaged by the fire. There was some water in the toilets in the function room but we’ve been in and mopped that up.
“The main bar was untouched and may be able to reopen, but we obviously need to get the relevant safety checks to the gas and electrics to see if that’s feasible.”
Resident John Watson, 55, who lives nearby, said: “There were four fire engines and two ambulances that I could see.
“I was in a bit of shock at the emergency service response.
“There was a lot of smoke still coming from the building. When it began to clear you could see the flat above the pub was in a bad way.”
Deliberate fire
Police have confirmed the fire is being treated as deliberate and have asked anyone with information to come forward.
Detective Sergeant Alasdair Young said: “Around 7.40am on Friday police were made aware of a fire at a property in Woodside Way, Glenrothes.
“Officers attended and the fire is being treated as wilful.
“Inquiries are ongoing into this incident and I would appeal to anyone who was in the area of Woodside Way at the time who witnessed anything suspicious to contact us.
“I would also ask anyone with personal footage that may assist our ongoing enquiry to contact officers through 101 with reference 0556 of May 6.
“Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”
A spokesperson for the fire service added: “We received our first report of a fire on Woodside Way at 7.35am.
“Crews from Glenrothes, Methil and Kirkcaldy were in attendance.
“A safety jet, hose reel jet and safety ladder were in use.”
