Firefighters rescue man from flat blaze

The 69-year-old man, named locally as Charles Clarke, was found unconscious in the first-floor property at Muirfield Terrace in Gullane.

He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary by ambulance with a police escort.

Ambulance staff said he was still unconscious on arrival but his current condition is unknown.

Neighbour Jeannie Newcombe was woken by a fire alarm and saw smoke in Mr Clarke's flat. She called through his letterbox but got only a faint reply. She called emergency services which were on the scene within 20 minutes and broke the door down to gain access.

This morning, charred furniture, bedding and clothing was lying at the entrance to the two-storey building, but there were no obvious signs of fire damage outside.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "I just saw a lot of fire brigade and ambulances outside last night, I didn't see much more.

"He is an old gentleman, I just know him by the name Charles. He's a nice chap and I know he has a wee dog that I see him walking in the park."