Lucky escape as fire starts in caravan

A MAN had a lucky escape after a fire started in a caravan next to his home and spread to the house.

The man, who was asleep in his Prestonfield home at the time, was alerted to the blaze by paramedics who happened to be passing in an ambulance at the time. He was checked over at the scene but did not require hospital treatment. Two dogs were also unhurt in the fire.

The fire broke out in a caravan outside the property on Peffermill Road just before 3am this morning and spread to the roof of the house.

A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service said there were gas cylinders inside the caravan.

She added: "The man was lucky he was taken out of the house when he was."

The roof of the property collapsed and building control have deemed it unsafe. Part of Peffermill Road was expected to be closed until midday today.