A Fife family left with nothing after a house fire say they have been “overwhelmed” by the community’s kindness.
Caitlin Medwik, 24, and Scott Wilson, 23, from Rosyth, were on their way to visit relatives with four-year-old daughter Kayleigh on Sunday when a faulty cooker plug sparked a blaze in their home.
At around 6pm, shortly after leaving the house, Scott – a rope access technician – noticed he had three missed calls from a neighbour.
Caitlin said: “We were away 10 minutes before we get a phone call to say our house was up in flames.
“The neighbour said, ‘You need to come home, there’s smoke coming out of every single window of your house’.”
The couple, who had left their two cocker spaniels at home, immediately turned the car around.
By the time they arrived back home in Rosyth, their neighbour had called the fire service.
Despite the fact flames were “blazing right through the house”, Caitlin and Scott burst through the door to rescue one-year-old dog Luna and 14-week-old puppy Buster – who could be heard barking inside.
‘Scott was screaming for the dogs in black smoke’
Home carer Caitlin said: “I couldn’t see two centimetres ahead of me because of the smoke and, being asthmatic, when I breathed in, I panicked.
“I came running back to the front door and by that time, I’m screaming for the dogs and Scott is running about in the black smoke – he couldn’t see anything.”
Eventually Scott made it out with the two pets as three fire crews arrived on the scene.
As they battled the flames, Caitlin and Scott were forced to stand and watch their home of five years get destroyed.
Caitlin said: “To sit there at the edge of the driveway to watch your own things – everything you’ve worked hard for – just burn away, it’s not something that I would want anybody to experience.
“We just had to stand there and watch our full house burn.”
The couple, who are sleeping on sofas at Scott’s parents’ house, are desperately searching for a place to stay.
They have been warned that repairs to the house will take at least nine months.
Caitlin said: “Obviously everybody is safe and I could not be more thankful, but it has been a nightmare.
“We’ve got only the clothes on our backs from that day. That’s all we have left.
“Nothing is salvageable – everything is gone.
“It is just gutting because we put our heart and soul into our wee house, and it’s just gone within 15 minutes.”
In spite of everything, Caitlin and Scott are working hard to remain positive for the sake of Kayleigh, whose first day of primary school was on Tuesday.
Locals donate hundreds of pounds to family
And it has been made easier thanks to the support of locals, who have rallied behind the family to help them get back on their feet.
An online fundraising page created by Scott’s sister Lesley has collected hundreds of pounds.
The family have been offered everything from furniture and dog treats to toys for Kayleigh.
Lesley has been delighted at the level of response.
She said “We have received a lot of toys for Kayleigh and clothes.
“We’ve been offered crates and dog beds, leads, harnesses and treats, tables and chairs, beds, TVs – it’s been crazy.
“People have been so kind and we’ve all been so overwhelmed.
“Everyone is just pulling together and helping out.
“It’s been the most emotional rollercoaster of a few days, from being heartbroken to all the tears of joy from people helping.”
Conversation