Family saved from blaze

A FAMILY of four was rescued in the early hours of this morning from their blazing Leith flat.

The fire broke out in a fifth-floor flat at Cables Wynd House.

Four appliances from Lothian and Borders Fire Brigade rushed to the scene shortly after midnight.

Firefighters with breathing apparatus fought through thick smoke to reach the family.

They later said a man, aged 29, a 24-year-old woman, a seven-year-old girl and a boy aged three were led to safety.

A spokesman for the fire service said: “All four were treated for the effects of smoke inhalation at the scene and did not require hospital treatment”.

She added that the property had been extensively damaged by smoke. It’s believed it started when a pot caught fire on the cooker.

An 87-year-old was also rescued by firefighters after a fire broke out in her bathroom.

Two pumps from Livingston were called to the fire in sheltered housing on Bereforth Rise, Livingston, after 8pm.

The lady was given oxygen by fire crews while waiting for the ambulance to arrive but did not need hospital treatment.

The cause of the fire is not known.