A pensioner has died following a fire at a sheltered housing complex in Rosyth.
The man, named locally as 77-year-old Brian Pickard, passed away after a ferocious blaze ripped through the bungalow in the town’s Walter Hay Court yesterday morning.
The smoke billowing from the terraced property was visible across the town, with a large police and fire service presence despatched to deal with the incident.
A body was found within the property upon their arrival, with Police Scotland later confirming earlier reports of a fatality.
A spokesperson said: “Police in Fife are investigating following a fatal fire at an address in Walter Hay Court, Rosyth.
“The incident happened around 10am when a fire was reported.
“Police and emergency services attended, however a body was found within the property.
“Police are currently undertaking a joint examination of the circumstances with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
“A report will be sent the Procurator Fiscal.”
Emergency services were scrambled to the scene at around 10am after smoke was seen billowing from the small property.
At one point, as many as four fire engines and five police cars were at the cul-de-sac, with firefighters pumping thousands of litres of water into the property in a bid to stop the blaze from spreading.
One neighbour described Mr Pickard as a quiet man “who liked to keep himself to himself”.
He was said to have been well known at the Rosyth Ex-Servicemen’s Club, just a few hundred yards away from his home where he lived alone.
Margaret Lorimer, whose home overlooks the sheltered housing complex, said: “I heard the fire engines at around 9.30am.
“There was thick black smoke coming from the roof and I was worried that it was actually spreading to other houses.
“My son used to go over there, many years ago, to help people out. Washing cars and things like that. It’s horrific something like this has happened.”
Built in 1976, the properties at Walter Hay Court are operated by Fife Council.
John Mills, head of the local authority’s housing services, said: “We were alerted to an incident this morning at an address Walter Hay Court.
Unfortunately the fire has resulted in the death of an occupant and our sympathies are with their family and friends at this sad time.
“Our colleagues in the police and fire service are now investigating the cause of this tragic incident and we have been on site today making sure all residents are safe and secure back in their homes.”
jowatson@thecourier.co.uk.
