Man tries in vain to rescue fire victim

TRAGEDY: Neighbour tells of bid to enter burning Leven flat

A Fife man said he did “everything he could” to save the life of a neighbour who perished in a flat fire yesterday.

Locals named the victim of the Leven blaze as 32-year-old Scott Kerr, who was declared dead at the scene by the emergency services.

Dennis McBride, who lives just doors away from Mr Kerr, raised the alarm when he saw smoke billowing from the upstairs flat on Waggon Road at around 8am.

Despite teaming up with another passerby to launch a rescue bid, his efforts to help were in vain.

“I heard the smoke alarm in the flat where the fire was but there was no response from inside,” he told The Courier.

A man has spoken of his battle to save the life of a neighbour who died in a flat fire in Leven yesterday.

Dennis McBride said that he and another good samaritan banged on the door of 32-year-old Scott Kerr’s Waggon Road flat after calling the emergency services.

Mr McBride, who lives in nearby Letham Terrace, noticed smoke pouring out of the upper floor flat at around 8am on his way out shopping.

Despite his best efforts, emergency services discovered a body upon entering the premises.

“I left my flat to go to the shops and smelt burning,” he said.

“I thought it was the farmers burning something in the fields, but when I got to the end of the road I could see smoke coming through the vents in the house.

“I didn’t have my mobile phone on me so I went to this gentleman’s house and called 999.

“When I was waiting I went up the stairs and banged on the two doors.

“I heard the smoke alarm in the flat where the fire was but there was no response from inside. There was quite a bit of smoke and it was quite a pungent smell. Myself and the other guy were banging on the doors and you could feel the heat.

“We did everything we could. The doors were quite heavy and we couldn’t batter them down.”

Mr McBride added that firefighters were on the scene just moments later, breaking down the door to gain entry to what is understood to be a Fife Council flat.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Police and emergency services attended and a male fatality was found within.

“Inquiries are currently ongoing with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.”

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson added: “We received a call at 07.58 hours from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to attend an incident at an address on Letham Terrace, Leven.

“We dispatched one ambulance to the scene.”

Alistair Black, housing manager at Fife Council, said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of this death at Waggon Road, Leven.”

“We are currently fully assisting the police with their inquiries into this tragic incident.”

Police areas king anyone who witnessed the fire to contact them on 101.

Picture: Steven Brown. Emergency services workers at the scene of the fatal fire in Leven.

Dennis McBride tried but was unable to help when he heard the alarm.

Picture: Steven Brown. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service staff and police at the scene of the fire.

Picture: Steven Brown. Dennis McBride attempted to get into the burning flat but he could not break down the doors.