AN ALLOA man has praised the Kincardine community and staff at Forth Bay Nursing Home for its response to a fire in late August.

Colin Ireland's daughter Susan has severe learning difficulties and suffers from epilepsy, and was a resident of the home when the blaze struck.

Residents were safely evacuated and locals pulled together to provide blankets and hot soup as they were stranded outside the building.

And Colin, of Nevis Crescent, was quick to commend people for their efforts on Monday, August 21, and expressed his relief that Susan was safe and well. 

He told the Advertiser: "All I know is that the staff and bystanders helped evacuate the premises very quickly, efficiently and professionally. 

"It absolutely speaks volumes about the community. Well done Kincardine, hold your head up high, you did an amazing job that day.

"A lot of the residents lost everything. There's been donations from Asda, Tesco and Morrisons, chipping in with brand new clothes and all that. 

"Everything worked out so well. Nobody was seriously injured. 52 residents were in that home and 52 residents came out with all the staff. That's a major plus. 

"I just wanted to thank Forth Bay publicly and their staff, to say well done. They did an absolutely brilliant job and it's still ongoing. You have done yourself proud. 

"Well done to the fire brigade for saving what they could save. A good job well done by all concerned."

In the immediate aftermath of the incident, Susan was moved to Napier House in Glenrothes for three weeks and is now at Glenbervie Care Home in Larbert. 

And after the initial concern the fire caused, Colin is hopeful that the Tulliallan unit of Forth Bay will be back up and running by the end of the year, to allow Susan to get back to the home she loves. 

He added: "By the time I got across there, the amount of traffic was unbelievable. Until we saw her, we were obviously concerned. She was certainly agitated.

"There's not enough of these places about, truth be told. She's been there two and a half years and absolutely adores it."