Lucky escape after a fire broke out on the ninth floor of a Greenock high rise

Four fire engines and an aerial rescue pump rushed to the scene of the blaze at Royal Court just after 8am yesterday morning.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the building to extinguish the fire, which started in a chip fan in the kitchen of a flat.

The resident of the property where the fire started was evacuated and taken to hospital.

Bosses from River Clyde Homes, who manage the building, today reassured residents that their tower blocks are safe.

David Falla, the head of asset planning and development, said: "Fire crews were on the scene quickly and managed to put the fire out.

"The fire was contained within the kitchen of the property.

"The resident of the property where the fire started was evacuated safely and taken to hospital as a precaution.

"River Clyde Homes staff were on site immediately to support residents and remain on site to continue this support.

"No injuries were reported.

"We would like to reassure our customers that our tower blocks are safe, but urge people to consider the risks of using chip pan style appliances."

He added: "There have been a number of reports lately of people stealing fire equipment and we ask all residents to be vigilant, reporting any concerns to the police.”

During the incident, Bearhope Street was closed to the public to allow the emergency services access to deal with the fire.

A spokesman from Scottish Fire and Rescue said: "The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted at 8.19am on Thursday to reports of a fire within a block of flats at Bearhope Street, Greenock.

“Operations control immediately mobilised a number of fire engines and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished a small kitchen fire.

“One person was taken for a precautionary check up by Scottish Ambulance Service personnel.

“Crews left the scene after ensuring the area was made safe.”