A person has died after a house fire in Kirkcaldy.
Crews spent about seven hours at the blaze on Pratt Street – just yards from Stark’s Park – on Thursday.
Staff from Raith Rovers, including groundsman Stewart Biggar, rushed to help residents as the blaze took hold.
Police have confirmed one fatality in the fire.
Person pronounced dead at scene of Kirkcaldy house fire
A spokesperson said: “At around 2.30pm on Thursday, officers were called to a fire at a property on Pratt Street, Kirkcaldy.
“Emergency services attended and one person was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The fire was extinguished and a joint investigation remains ongoing with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service into the cause of the fire.
“Officers remain at the scene.”
Residents have praised youth players and staff from Raith Rovers who helped about eight households that had to be evacated.
One of the evacuated residents, Mateusz Watorowski, told The Courier: “We got a knock at the door from a police officer and a player from Raith Rovers asking us to quickly leave because of the fire in the adjoining block.
‘Incredible’ Raith Rovers response during house fire
“There was a lot of concern that because the fire had reached the roof space, it would travel along to our flats.
“I went outside and the whole street was full of firefighters and police and I could see flames coming out the upstairs window next door.
“Raith Rovers staff took maybe eight or nine households inside the ground.
“They very kindly provided us with food, looking after us for nearly five hours until we were allowed back into our homes.”
Another resident, who asked not to be named, described the support from staff at Raith Rovers as “incredible”.
She said: “The young players were knocking doors and helping to get people out during the emergency.
“Everyone was incredible and they couldn’t do enough for us.
‘I woke up coughing – smoke was coming through my wall’
“They even went to find nappies and food for a woman with a baby who had been forced to leave her home.”
Another Pratt Street resident described how he had been woken by smoke pouring through his living room wall.
He said: “I woke up coughing and immediately was struck by a strong smell of smoke.
“Then I noticed that my living was filling up with smoke that was coming through my wall.
“I looked outside and could see several fire engines in the street.
“Moments later, I got a knock at my door from a policeman asking for me to leave.
“It was a pretty frightening situation, especially when I went into the street and saw the fire right next door to my flat.
“The property was completely on fire.”
Raith Rovers groundsman went ‘above and beyond’ during Kirkcaldy house fire
Andrew Barrowman, Raith Rovers CEO, said: “All at Raith Rovers wish to express their sincere condolences to the family and those associated following yesterday’s tragedy.
“The club is a neighbour to those affected by yesterday’s emergency and like any good neighbour, we wanted to do whatever we could to help.
“It was our groundsman, Stewart Biggar, who was in the south stand at the time and spotted the fire, who deserves special credit.
“He acted immediately with other staff to assist the emergency services in getting those residents to safety.
“Stewart went above and beyond to support evacuated residents staying with them, despite some not being allowed back into their homes until the evening.”
