A FIRE engine heading to a serious blaze in Saline last week broke down on its way there.

The appliance was one of five sent to the village last Tuesday morning after a fire broke out in a house on Oaklea.

A 30-year-old man, named locally as Steven Allan, escaped before the arrival of the fire crews and was taken to St John’s Hospital in Livingston.

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alex Rowley said it was “vital” that firefighters are equipped with the best vehicles and that he had written to the chief fire officer.

“Knowing that fire engines work and are well maintained and renewed when needed is surely crucial to give the public confidence in the service,” he said.

“I will be asking questions about this incident and the age and condition of vehicles. Firefighters have a crucial and dangerous job, so it is crucial that they have the best of equipment and that includes their vehicles.”

Scottish Fire and Rescue’s Roddie Keith said another appliance was sent out as soon as they discovered one had suffered a problem.

“We mobilised a total of five appliances to this incident, with the first arriving from Dunfermline at the scene within 13 minutes of the alarm first being raised,” he said.

“One appliance from Lochgelly did encounter a minor mechanical fault whilst en route however a separate appliance was immediately mobilised in its place and duly attended. The SFRS continues to attend at every emergency.”