Fife farmer saved by alarm as fire destroys home

A smoke alarm saved a man from a blaze that ripped through his home.

The farmer was asleep when the fire broke out on Saturday morning.

Firefighters rushed to his cottage at Lambertsmill Farm, Auchtertool, shortly after 6am and found it well alight.

No one was hurt, but the house was destroyed by the flames which were fanned by high winds and spread through the roof.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service station manager Bob Rearie said the occupant, who was alone in the house, was very lucky to have been roused.

He said: “When we arrived the fire was well developed in the bedroom and had taken hold in the roof space of the detached farm cottage.”

The cottage suffered “very extensive” damage, but he said the outcome could have been much worse.

He said: “You cannot underestimate the benefit of a working smoke alarm because of the early warning it gives you to make your escape.”

Investigations were being conducted to establish whether the fire started in the bedroom or in the roof.

Four appliances were drafted in to deal with the blaze.

The householder declined to speak to the press.