The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Fife father was ‘on top form’ before fire tragedy
EAST WEMYSS: Brother of Wullie Smart leads tributes to the father of two
Tributes have been paid to a Fife father of two who died in a fire at the weekend.
Wullie Smart, 42, lost his life after a blaze broke out at his ground floor flat in Sir Jimmy Shand Court, East Wemyss.
His brother Craig Smart, a tattooist in Perth, took to social media to speak about his grief.
And he revealed it was the second such tragedy to hit the family.
“I am unable to comprehend the effect it is going to have on my life and those who shared a life with my big brother Wullie Smart,” he said.
“My little sister and now my big brother have both been taken in house fires.
“He was one of the truest people I have ever known and I am devastated beyond words by his passing.”
Described as well known and liked in the close-knit community of East Wemyss, Mr Smart leaves behind two young children.
Having recently gone to college to start a new career in catering, he worked at The Earl David Hotel in Kirkcaldy.
He had been out the night before and was described as being “on top form, singing and dancing”.
A shocked colleague posted on Facebook: “Wullie was a great guy and it was only last night he was dancing with me and having a great time with his friends in the pub. He is going to be missed by everyone here.”
Staff at the hotel are considering holding a collection for Mr Smart’s family.
It is believed the fire started in the early hours of Saturday.
However, the alarm was not raised until around 10.30am, when the emergency services arrived to find Mr Smart had passed away. His pet dog also perished in the fire. Neighbour Ian Waddell, 51, who dialled 999, said: “It happened during the night because the fire alarm was going off but there was a bleep and a long gap so it had obviously been running for a while.
“I’d just come back and one of the neighbours said there was something wrong with Wullie’s house because the windows were all dark. I banged on the door and went around the back.
“One of the windows was open and I could smell the reek. I went around and banged the windows and that. Then I came in and got the phone and phoned the emergency services.
“He was just a normal bloke. I’ve known him all my days. He was well known and well liked.”
Police Scotland said there was nothing to suggest the blaze was suspicious.
The force is carrying out routine investigations alongside the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.