The “amazing staff” at a Musselburgh bar and bistro have been praised for racing to help residents caught up in a fire at a nearby block of flats at the weekend.

Staff at The Ship Inn ran over to the burning building on North High Street as soon as they saw what was happening, dishing out water, tea and a whisky to “shocked” householders who were evacuated, and invited them to take refuge back at the pub.

READ MORE: Fire at block of flats in Musselburgh

Grateful Caroline Boyce later took to social media to say a “massive thank you” to staff at The Ship Inn for helping residents who were outside the flats after the fire broke out at about 5.30pm.

She said: “The staff of The Ship Inn came running over as soon as they saw what was going on, with water, tea and whisky for those who needed it.

READ MORE: Firefighters praised after rescuing family from fire at flats in Musselburgh

“We went over to get out of the cold whilst the brave folks of the fire service got our building sorted, and they brought us chargers, blankets and food.

“They let us in with all our animals and gave them all water and kept making sure if they were OK.

“The staff were absolutely brilliant and when we mentioned that our wallets and purses were still in the building they said ‘don’t worry about it’ and told us to stay as long as we needed.

“I speak for everyone in the block when I say a massive thank you to the fire service, to the kind passers-by who asked if we were OK, and especially to the amazing staff of The Ship Inn who took us in during a horrific time.

“Every single person who was working at The Ship Inn made me feel so safe and calm, and every one of us from the building who came in for warmth will be saying an absolutely massive thank you to you all for being such amazing people.”

Jillian Adamson added: “We too are very thankful to everyone at The Ship Inn who helped us out.”

Laura Riley said: “What beautiful compassion to show others in need. Well done The Ship Inn.”

Lisa Connelly added: “Hope everyone is safe after such a scary incident. Well done Ship Inn – big hearts.”

Nikky Grace Davidson also thanked staff at The Ship for the “cuppa tea” and neighbours who helped others get out, adding: “I got a fright off my life! I’m still in shock mode.”

Modest staff at The Ship Inn declined to comment when approached by the Courier.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 5.33pm on Saturday to reports of a dwelling fire affecting a first-floor flat on North High Street, Musselburgh.

“Operations Control mobilised four appliances and a height vehicle to the scene to extinguish the fire and make the area safe.

“One male casualty was handed into the care of paramedics.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said that officers were called to assist the fire service with traffic management in the area.