An elderly man who died in a house fire in Falkirk has been named locally as Joseph Faichnie.
Fire crews raced to the elderly couple's home on Anderson Drive at roughly 10.40pm on Sunday, March 5 after receiving reports of a blaze. Six appliances were mobilised and firefighters worked until 3am to extinguish the inferno.
The 79-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife Lilian, 76, suffered serious injuries and was taken by ambulance to Glasgow Royal Infirmary for treatment.
Neighbour Kathryn Scotland, was watching television when she heard bangs coming from the street.
She told the Record: "I heard lots of banging just before 11pm. I opened my blind and was astonished to see ambulances and fire brigades.
"Then behind them I saw the flames. It was shocking.
"The flames were shooting up and curling around the building. The firemen were dousing it with water to try and stop it from spreading to the neighbours. It took a long time for them to get it under control.
"I saw a firefighter performing CPR outside. It's just horrible to think about what has happened. I couldn't sleep after it."
Kathryn, who has lived in the area for 24 years, described Lillian and Joe as a 'really nice couple' who 'kept themselves to themselves'.
She said: "I know Lilian and Joe quite well. We exchange Christmas cards every year and Joe used to clean my roof. They are a really nice couple, just lovely people."
Pictures of the damage show the roof of the property has collapsed during the inferno. The windows on the right hand side of the home have been smashed and burnt out.
Emergency services remain at the scene this afternoon.
A joint investigation between SFRS and Police Scotland is ongoing to establish the cause of the fire. It is understood that residents of neighbouring houses have been evacuated while the structural safety of the property is evaluated.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Area Commander Kenny Barbour is the Local Senior Officer for Falkirk and West Lothian. He said: "We were alerted at 10.34pm on Sunday, 5 March to reports of a dwelling fire in Falkirk.
"Operations Control mobilised six appliances to the town's Anderson Drive, where firefighters worked to extinguish a well-developed fire. Sadly, one male casualty passed away at the scene.
"Our thoughts are very much with the gentleman's family and friends and all of those affected at this difficult time. A female casualty was taken by paramedics to Glasgow's Royal Infirmary for treatment.
“Crews worked to make the area safe before leaving the scene at 3.21am on Monday, 6 March. A joint investigation between SFRS and Police Scotland is ongoing."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We received a report of a fire at a property on Anderson Drive, Falkirk, around 10.40pm on Sunday, 5 March, 2023. Emergency services attended and a man was pronounced dead at the scene.
“A woman was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary for treatment. The fire was extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and a joint-investigation into the circumstances is ongoing.”
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - sign up to our daily newsletter here.
