Scots families left homeless by a Livingston fire have been reduced to 'tears' after receiving donations at a local pub.
Emergency services raced to flats on Katherine Street in the Craigshill area after the alarm was raised at around 8.35pm on Thursday, January 27.
Horror images shared on social media showed plumes of smoke pouring from the blaze.
A total of 15 appliances descended onto the scene to tackle the inferno that broke out at a ground floor flat.
Officers said a number of residents were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation but thankfully did not require hospital treatment.
However, a number of families have now been left with nowhere to live and have lost all their belongings.
The Tower Bar, in Livingston, sprung into action following the devastating news and appealed for donations.
They've now been inundated with supplies from the generous community.
The pub owner, Frank McAlister, 47, said: “We’ve always been a community pub and it's unbelievable the community spirit that’s come together here, we’ve got a little lounge upstairs that’s now full. We’ve got curtains, bedding, everything, you name it it’s there.
“Everybody is devastated that it’s happened in our community, a JustGiving page has been set up and it’s raised over £3,000 and we’ve collected about £300 in the pub so far."
There is currently over £3,250 raised on the fundraiser set up to help people affected by the 'awful fire'.
The pub even had to take down its appeal as donations continued to pour in.
“In a way, I’m not surprised by the donations because I know how well the community reacts to things, but I am surprised at the amount of donations we’ve collected so far, and they just keep coming and coming.
“We’ve actually had to take down the appeal for donations because we’ve now got so many. It’s difficult but we’re coping", Frank said.
Devastated families arriving at the pub to seek donations after the blaze have been left in 'tears' at the piles of supplies.
He added: “We’ve had a couple of families come in so far and take away food and some clothing and things like that.
“They are overwhelmed, some of them have been in tears. I’m a complete wreck when it comes to all this, the donations have tugged at my heartstrings.
“There’s such a good community spirit here, people have woken up and heard what’s happened and all they’ve wanted to do is help in any way they can.
"People have even been offering their rooms for those with nowhere to stay."
Frank estimates around 25 families have been impacted by the fire but are still awaiting a final figure.
Police confirmed on Friday a 26-year-old man had now been arrested in connection with wilful fire-raising following the blaze.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 8.45pm on Thursday, January 27, officers received a report of a fire at a block of flats in Katherine Street, Livingston.
"One person was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation but did not require hospital treatment.
"A number of residents required alternative accommodation.
"A 26-year-old man has been arrested in connection with wilful fireraising and police enquiries are ongoing."
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 8.35pm on Thursday, January 27 to reports of a fire within a ground floor flat in a four-storey building in Katherine Street, Livingston.
“Operations Control mobilised 15 appliances, three height appliances and specialist resources to the scene and firefighters are working to extinguish the fire.
“Crews currently remain in attendance.”
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