The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Hero builder saves couple from blaze
Man and woman dragged to safety from house engulfed by flames
A passerby battled through thick black smoke and “unbearable” heat to rescue two people from a burning building.
Hero builder Scott Robertson said he was “in the right place at the right time” when he passed the smoke-filled flat on the edge of Kinross, and spotted a man and woman passed out inside.
The 29-year-old called 999 and woke neighbours before charging into the property.
He managed to drag both people into the street, while flames engulfed the living room.
Three fire crews used breathing apparatus and hose reel jets to bring the blaze under control.
Mr Robertson, who had been heading to his home in Milnathort, said “fate” led him to the property.
He was hailed a hero by neighbours and his efforts earned him free pizza from a local takeaway.
A hero builder who charged into a burning building to rescue two people said he was “in the right place at the right time”.
Scott Robertson was returning home after walking his mother’s dogs and was passing the smoke-filled ground floor flat in Kinross.
The 29-year-old groundworker raised the alarm when he spotted a man and woman lying unconscious on the living room floor.
He raced inside and fought through smoke and searing heat to drag both occupants to safety.
Mr Robertson, from nearby Milnathort, has been hailed as a hero by neighbours and has even been offered free pizza at a local Italian restaurant.
“I think some things happen for a reason,” he said. “Fate took me that way that night.”
The fire broke at the Dalwhamie Street property in the early hours of Monday morning.
Three fire crews from Kinross and Lochgelly took 40 minutes to battle the blaze.
Firefighters used thermal imaging cameras to check everyone was out of the building.
Mr Robertson, who works for Perthbased A King Contracts, said: “I had taken my mum’s dogs for a walk, and was walking back to our flat in Milnathort where my fiancée was sleeping.
“For some strange reason, I’m not sure why, I decided to walk up past the new houses at Lathro Meadows.
“As I got towards the street, I thought I could smell smoke.”
Mr Robertson walked on and could see one of the houses “glowing”.
He said: “It didn’t look right, so I went up to the window. There was two people passed out on the floor and the living room was lit, with smoke belching everywhere. The fire was unreal.”
He called 999 and alerted neighbours above and at either side of the property.
“Me being me, I just burst through the side door – it was melting with the heat. I ran in, but couldn’t see a thing because the place was reeking with black smoke. The heat was unbearable.”
He said: “I dragged the girl out first, and then ran back inside to the guy who was still passed out on the floor.
“I managed to get him out on to the street, where we waited for the paramedics and fire brigade.”
It is understood an overheated plug socket behind the television sparked the blaze, spreading flames up the walls and across the ceiling.
“The place was destroyed,” said Mr Robertson. “I’m glad no one was hurt, but it could have been a lot worse.”
Mr Robertson has won praise from his community after word got out about his heroics on social media. Local takeaway La Casanova has rewarded him with free pizza.