The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Fife care home blaze may have started in adjoining property
Kincardine: Investigations into major fire continue and full extent of damage still being assessed – while residents remain in temporary homes
A blaze that ripped through a Fife nursing home this week may have started in an adjoining property, The Courier understands.
Investigations are continuing into the cause of the fire which badly damaged Forth Bay care home in Kincardine on Monday, and it could be several weeks before they are concluded.
It is believed the flames spread to the home from another building but local rumours that a gas canister may have exploded in a neighbouring garage have not been confirmed.
Police said no criminal activity was suspected.
In all 51 elderly people were evacuated from the home in Walker Street as the fire took hold.
Five people were taken to hospital with minor injuries but thanks to a full-scale response involving staff from the home, the fire service and members of the local community, nobody was seriously hurt.
All of the residents have been found temporary accommodation and most of them are currently staying at a new Fife Council care home in Glenrothes which has yet to officially open.
One part of the Kincardine home’s roof was destroyed in Monday’s incident and another section of internal roof space had to be cut away by firefighters to stop the flames spreading.
A spokesman for Forth Bay care home said the full extent of the damage was still being assessed.
“We have commissioned experts, including structural engineers, to carry out surveys and assessments of the building and refurbishment works that will be required, but they are still at an early stage,” he said.
Around 60 firefighters battled what was described as an extensive fire, using powerful water jets.
It took almost three hours to extinguish the flames and crews remained on the scene for several more hours to ensure the area was safe.
Staff were praised for evacuating the building quickly and professionally and the Kincardine community was thanked for providing, food, drink and clothing to the elderly residents as they waited at a community centre.
Fife Council staff also worked until late into the night to make sure everyone was properly taken care of.