THE cause of a fire that killed an elderly resident at Walter Hay Court in Rosyth is being kept under wraps as the investigation could lead to a fatal accident inquiry.

The Press filed a freedom of information request to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) after both it and Fife Council were unable to state what caused the blaze on December 16 last year.

Emergency services rushed to the sheltered housing complex to attend the fire, which claimed the life of Brian Pickard, 77.

In response to the FOI, the Press was told that "the nature, cause and circumstances of the death are the subject of an investigation which could ultimately lead to judicial proceedings including a fatal accident inquiry".

As a result, SFRS said the information could not be disclosed at this time.

The sheltered accommodation is managed by Fife Council and service manager Louise Sutherland said: “We been given an assurance from the fire service that the tragic fire at Water Hay Court was not as a result of any appliance or structure failure which supports our own investigations.

“Our sheltered housing complexes are safe environments with staff support to make sure tenants are well and safe.

"We have been working with Fire and Rescue Scotland to raise awareness with our tenants of fire risks within the home.”

Tenants were given care and support after the tragic event and Paul Short, housing team manager, said in January: “We are still waiting on formal feedback as to the cause of the fire – but an internal review of our processes have been started.”

Friends and family paid emotional tributes to the 77-year-old, who was a regular at the Rosyth Ex-Serviceman’s Club in the town, following the incident.