A major fire has broken out at a Poundstretcher store in Fife overnight, sparking an emergency response. The blaze took hold at around 2am on Tuesday, November 8, when crews were alerted to a shop having gone up in smoke on Leven High Street.
Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service raced to the scene of the inferno, with dozens of firefighters and more than 15 appliances, including two height appliances, being dispatched to bring the flames under control.
The emergency crews remain in attendance several hours later, while the fire rages on. Footage taken at the scene shows red-hot flames spitting from the building, while ashy, grey smoke billows from the roof.
Embers fall to the ground, while the structure of the premise appears completely charred and the windows destroyed. A fireball could be seen from a few streets away, according to residents, with one claiming they were woken up by the commotion and that "sparks and ash" landed in their garden.
The video also shows firefighters launching streams of water from a hose onto the burning wreck. It is understood that no one has been hurt in the incident, although the cause is not yet known.
The town centre is currently locked down and members of the public are being urged to steer clear while traffic is being closely monitored.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We were called around 2.30am on Tuesday, November 9, to a report of a fire in Leven High Street near Poundstretcher. The road and part of the Esplanade will be closed until further notice. The public are asked to avoid the town centre area if possible."
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson added: "We were alerted at 2.06am on Tuesday, November 8, to reports of a building fire on High Street, Leven.
"Operation Control mobilised 16 appliances including two height appliances to the scene of a fire affecting a commercial property. There are no reported casualties and crews remain in attendance."
Fife Police said the High Street and Esplanade reopened to traffic just after 6.15pm - more than 16 hours after the fire broke out.
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