FIREFIGHTERS have been praised after rescuing a family from a fire at a block of flats.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene of the blaze in Musselburgh following a series of calls from worried residents at about 8.30pm yesterday evening (Wednesday).
Homeowners were evacuated onto the street as firefighters tackled the fire but at least one family were trapped in their flat due to thick smoke.
READ MORE: Fire at flats in Musselburgh
Children could be seen hanging out of a bedroom window in an effort to stay away from the smoke and the family were eventually led down the badly damaged stairwell by a fire crew.
It is believed that the fire started in the flat stair and images show that the exterior of the building suffered scorch marks and smoke damage.
Three appliances were in attendance, along with two ambulances and police officers.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “It was around 8.30pm when I started to smell smoke coming from outside. Then a couple of smoke alarms went off and I knew something was up.
“I opened the door to my flat and the whole stair was filled with thick black smoke.
“We managed to get out into the street and banged on a few neighbours’ doors to alert them before calling the fire brigade.
“Unfortunately, a couple of families on the upper floors couldn’t get down due to the thick smoke in the stair and were effectively trapped.
“The kids were hanging out of the window of one flat and panicking a bit, and at one point I thought they would have to be rescued through the open window.
“But the brave firefighters managed to get up the stair and break their front door down to get them all out safely.
“They were so professional and did a really great job – we were all so impressed.
“I know the family involved were so grateful to those guys because really they are putting their lives on the line for us.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "We were alerted at 8.43pm on Wednesday, April 20 to reports of a fire within a block of flats in Musselburgh.
"Operations Control mobilised four appliances to the scene at Belfield Court, where firefighters were met by a fire within a stairwell.
"Firefighters extinguished the fire and helped lead six people to safety.
"The individuals were then passed into the care of paramedics, who carried out precautionary check-ups. No one required to be taken to hospital.
"Crews left the scene after working to make the area safe."
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