A Windygates family said they are lucky to be alive after a power surge caused an explosive combination of leaking gas and flying sparks on Saturday night.
Blair MacDougall, 49, said it would have been “game over” if he and his wife Liz, 37, and their children had been asleep when a live gas pipe burst into flames.
Just days ago, an elderly couple in Callander had a miraculous escape when a gas explosion reduced their home to rubble.
Fife Fire and Rescue Service said Saturday’s incident could have been just as destructive, and it was fortunate nobody had been hurt.
Crews arrived to find an electricity pylon on fire and sparks flying between cables. A fault in the overhead supply is being blamed.
Thirty residents in the Balcurvie area were evacuated, including an elderly, wheelchair bound woman who was given temporary accommodation.
Mr MacDougall described how his daughter Megan, 16, alerted him to smoke coming from the kitchen at around 10.30pm and he saw flames coming from the side of the cooker. His youngest child, seven-year-old Blair, was in bed at the time.
The former fire service mechanic said: “If we had been in our beds it would have been game over.
“We had to get everybody out of the house. I put the gas off and I don’t know how I wasn’t electrocuted when I did it. All the gas pipes were live.”
He said Megan stayed calm and helped get the family to safety, adding: “She took control of the situation and was ushering us all out. She’s wise beyond her years.”
The MacDougalls were still in their home, despite having no heating or electricity and the temperature being just a few degrees above zero.
Mr MacDougall said: “We’re sitting here right now wondering what’s going on. I’ve no idea where I’m staying tonight.”
It is understood the majority of residents evacuated managed to find shelter with friends and relatives. The cause of the power surge is under investigation.
Fife Fire and Rescue Service group manager David Sharp described how electric bolts were arcing between power cables and there was a smell of gas.
He said: “An incident like the one in Callander could have happened last night. I think it’s very fortunate that it didn’t escalate.
“We were initially called out to a small fire coming from a gas pipe. The occupier managed to put the fire out himself but there was a strong smell of gas.
“A couple of houses away there was a report of a smell of smoke coming from a dishwasher. There were large pops and bangs coming from domestic appliances.
“There was some sort of power surge, which should normally be negated by devices built into houses and the main overhead line.”
Neighbours Jane Winter, 74, and Roderick Titmarsh, 78, heard a buzzing noise coming from their electric meter.
Ms Winter said: “I couldn’t find the emergency number for the electricity so I dialled 999.”
Scotland Gas Networks engineers were called out to Balcurvie at around 11.30pm and turned off the gas supply. A spokesman said engineers would be checking properties before switching gas supplies back on.
ScottishPower has repaired the faulty pylon.