Pensioner escapes uninjured from Lochgelly house blaze

An elderly woman escaped injury during a fire in her Lochgelly home after being alerted by a smoke alarm.

The woman escaped the blaze in her kitchen on Monday afternoon but was treated for smoke inhalation by paramedics at the scene. She did not require hospital treatment.

Firefighters from Lochgelly and Dunfermline arrived at the end-terraced bungalow in Francis Street to find a well-developed fire.

Donning breathing apparatus, they extinguished it and prevented it from spreading to the house next door. Crews remained on the scene for some time to cool down hot spots, ventilate the house and cut away affected timbers.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “Thankfully, having a working smoke alarm alerted the occupant to the fire and gave that vital early warning.

“Fire can cause extensive damage, not just to your property but, more seriously, can put family and loved ones at risk.

“Smoke alarms give you that vital, early warning should a fire start.”

The fire service provides free home safety visits and fits smoke detectors where this is required. To arrange a visit telephone 0800 0731 999, text “check” to 61611 or visit www.firescotland.gov.uk.