A COMMUNITY councillor has praised the response of the local fire service after a blaze ripped through her home in Peebles.

Lesley Morrison was forced to flee the two-storey B listed building in the town’s Kingsmeadow Road with her husband, Joe Wilton, and elderly dad, when the smoke alarm sounded.

However, she revealed the firefighters were able to save most of the ground floor of the property and added she hopes to be able to return to the family home where she has lived for more than 20 years.

The local GP - who represents the town on Peebles Community Council - also thanked the community after they rallied round in her time of need with offers of support.

Speaking to the Peeblesshire News this week, Lesley said: “I would like to thank all the people who have rallied round but in particular the firefighters who were unbelievable and who saved most of the ground floor of the building.

“If it was not for their bravery and professionalism the final consequences would have been much worse.

“They responded quickly and worked very hard in appalling conditions through the night and into the next day. They and the police were friendly and extremely helpful and an amazing example of good emergency service personnel. We are very grateful to them.” More than 50 firefighters tackled the blaze after the alarm was raised shortly after 6pm last Friday.

Two fire engines initially attended a chimney fire at the detached house.

But other crews were called in from Edinburgh and neighbouring towns after the blaze swept through the ground and first floor of the former rectory in high winds.

Police Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service attended, but there were no reported casualties.

However, the two-storey property was extensively damaged.

Recalling the drama, Dr Morrison said: “Joe, my dad and I were in the house watching television when our smoke alarm went off and almost straight away we knew we had a fire. We got out and called the fire brigade.

“Most importantly nobody was hurt and, after thinking that there would be little which we would be able to salvage, we have removed many special things.” As soon as photographs of the fire were posted on the Peeblesshire News Facebook page, offers of support came flooding in.

And Lesley revealed it helped her come to terms with the consequences of the devastating blaze.

“We want to extend a huge thank you to Jeremy Cunningham, friends and members of the local community who have offered accommodation, food, clothing, muscle power and support,” she said. “This event has confirmed what an amazing, strong community we live in.

“Our children, Rob, Iona and Mora returned from Glasgow, Blackpool and Bordeaux to be with us here and have shown such maturity and resilience. We are very proud of them.” Looking to the future, she added: “The walls of the house, which is B listed, are sound so the priority is to get it re-roofed as quickly as possible. The significance of the phrase 'having a roof over your head’ has become very real and we do indeed intend 'phoenix-like’ to rise from the ashes.”