Cat thought to have started fire at flats in North Berwick

Firefighters were called to the empty property at Fraser Court, on Forth Street, at about noon, where they forced entry - and, as well as extinguishing the small fire, ensured the feline could escape. Two fire engines were on the scene.

Police assisted with the operation, closing Forth Street at its junction with Quality Street, Melbourne Place and Victoria Road, which caused the town's one-way traffic system to back up.

The end of Forth Street was taped off by police(Image: Anna McAlinden)

Mike Prince, 64, was out working as a gardener when the incident occurred at his home.

He believes his cat Smudge accidentally caused the small fire by somehow knocking - and turning on - his electric hob while home alone, leading to a "tray" on the cooker to start smouldering.

Smudge is the chief suspect in determining the cause of the fire(Image: Anna McAlinden)

Mike told the Courier: "She must have locked the hob on somehow when she jumped up.

"The fire had smouldered the tray on the hob, but there was a packet of Dettol wipes on top and I think that is what stopped the fire spreading.

The hob was damaged(Image: Anna McAlinden)

"She has been down to her vets straight away and got the full MOT and the all clear.

"I am delighted nothing more had gone up and Smudge only got a fright as it could have been a lot worse.

"My front door was brand-new, mind, so that is typical, but the firemen were excellent and very apologetic about kicking it in."

Firefighters had to kick in the front door to gain access to the property(Image: Anna McAlinden)

Mike, who has lived in the property for about two-and-a-half years, said that he had new windows and doors fitted two months ago and the damage would probably cost about £2,000 to fix.

The blaze was first noticed by neighbour Scott, who lives a floor above in the block. His own fire alarm began sounding and he smelt smoke.

Scott, who did not want to give his surname, said: "I ran down, smelt the smoke and all the windows were fogged up - you could hardly see for the smoke.

"The only thing I could see was the wee cat jumping up at the window.

Mike estimates the damage will cost about £2,000 to fix(Image: Anna McAlinden)

"I've never seen her jumping up and about like that in my life, and I've seen her chased round by the kids."

Other than being a little hot under the collar, Smudge was checked over by vets and found to have received no injuries, externally or internally.

Scott added: "I shouted through the letterbox, calling Mike's name but did not get a reply, so was straight on the phone to 999.

The entrance to the flat where the fire started(Image: Anna McAlinden)

"You have to take your hat off to the fire service, they were here instantly."

Barmaid Sarah at The Auld Hoose pub on the street said: "The whole [one-way] system was backed up and it was absolute carnage at the front of the pub. The police taped up the road so everyone was stuck for probably about 45 minutes."

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "We were alerted at 12.02pm on Monday to reports of a dwelling fire in North Berwick.

"Operations Control mobilised two appliances to the town's Forth Street, where firefighters extinguished a fire within a ground-floor flat.

"Crews worked to make the area safe before leaving the scene.

"There were no casualties."