A blaze at a derelict paper mill in Inverkeithing that has led to a whole back section of its roof collapsing and demolition contractors taking the building apart could have been started by an “act of vandalism,” it has been claimed.
At its height, 10 fire units, a support unit and eight pumps had to deal with the fire, which began in the mezzanine level of the old Caldwell’s Paper Mill in Harbour Road.
A fire station manager said it was the biggest “flash-over” (spread of fire) he had ever seen.
At one point the flames rose to the height of the mill’s chimneys around 100 feet.
A senior firefighter has warned residents to stay away from the building, which has been deemed unsafe, and said he believes the fire may have been started by vandals.
Dunfermline duty watch manager Colin Weaver told The Courier that “large parts” of the old paper mill were dangerous and described how the fire took hold.
He said, “We were called to the old paper mill at around 10.32pm on Friday to deal with a fire over a large area of the building.
“The area in question measured approximately 70m by 50m and spread quickly into the roofspace, which subsequently collapsed and caused the structural collapse to the front part of the building.”
He added, “At its height, we had 10 units fighting the fire and had to fight it externally.”
Mr Weaver said that the damage is so bad that demolition contractor Skene was called and it has begun bringing some parts of the mill down as it is deemed to be unsafe.
He also revealed that he believes the blaze may have been started by vandals, with another small fire at the paper mill on Thursday at 6.55pm.
At that incident four appliances and a height unit were required.
Mr Weaver said, “We became aware that part of the old paper mill was unfortunately used as a playground.
“Fife Police were in attendance and took photographs and are currently investigating the cause of the fire, although it is hard to see at this stage.”
He added, “However, there is no power supply in the building so it’s likely it was started by an act of vandalism, although that is not proven at this stage.
“And it’s only going to get worse with the school summer holidays starting.”
Mr Weaver said, “We do a lot of work with primary schools highlighting the dangers and consequences of fires.
“There are a lot of holes and gaps in the building so we would urge people to stay away from the building as it is unsafe.”
Lochgelly station manager Dave Wishart said the blaze was one of the fiercest he has had to deal with.
He said, “The flash-over moved from one end of the roof to the other in just 15 seconds it was the biggest one I have ever seen.
“It was a very successful job on our part and no one was hurt.”SmoulderingHe added, “We returned here today to put water on steel beams which had been smouldering.
“Initially we had concerns that there might be asbestos in the roof but this proved to be unfounded as the main part that was damaged was made of metal.”
A police spokeswoman said scene-of-crime officers had taken photographs of the building. “The matter is still under investigation,” she said.
Councillor Alice McGarry, a representative for Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay, said the incident was “waiting to happen.”
She said, “This is a sad day, but at least no one was injured.
“My concern was that with the school holidays lots of kids would be playing at the old paper mill.
“I’ve been down in Cumbria but I heard that at its height, the fire reached the height of the mill chimneys.”
She added, “At least if it were to be demolished it would be an empty building and not unsafe.
“The building also burnt down in 1914 when Inverkeithing won the Scottish Junior Cup only to return to find out the site was burned to the ground.
“I feel it was waiting to happen.”
Fire crews returned to the site on Saturday to dampen down hot spots.
The building, which was built in 1914, has lain derelict since 2003 when it closed with the loss of 150 jobs.