FIREFIGHTERS have been praised for their response to reports of smoke coming from a block of flats in Greenock.

Resident Bobby Coats said he was so grateful to the Greenock crew for the way they handled the situation at a block of flats in Newton Street recently.

Although the smoke proved to be nothing serious, Bobby says they carried out a fire safety check on his home and also reassured his little girl.

He said: “I was in the room and I could smell smoke and when I looked out, there were three fire engines – I didn’t know what was going on.

“I then saw them using a ladder to go up to the gutter. I asked what was going on and they told me it was nothing to worry about.

“Ten minutes later they came to my door and carried out a safety check, giving me tips on what to do if a fire broke out.

“They were also really good with my daughter Cara, who’s only two.

“She was crying because she didn’t want them to leave so they let her sit in the fire engine.”

Firefighter Alistair Storie and crew manager Billy Carroll were among the crew who attended the scene.

Alistair said: “Working and engaging with the community is part and parcel of what we do day in and day out.

“It’s a good way for people to know that we’re just normal guys who are doing our job.”

Billy added: “We carried out a PDIR - post domestic incidence response, which means we reassure the neighbours and let them know everything is fine and we also offer them a home fire safety check.”