A LOCHGELLY family have lost everything as their home of 40 years was engulfed in a fire that destroyed valuables and burned treasured memories.

Mary and Jock (John) Brockie had called the Watters Crescent property their home since 1982, but soaring flames ripped through its rooms on Thursday and by the time firefighters extinguished the blaze, the devastating damage had been done.

The retired couple's daughter, Gail McAndrew, held back tears when recalling last week's heartbreaking incident to the Times.

"Everything they have ever worked for is gone," she said.

"The family doesn't come from a money background, they have had to work so hard.

"It's hard to accept what has happened. It's been the family home for 40 years. It's ruined.

"There's so many memories, all gone."

Gail's younger brother, Stuart, passed away in 1996, and Gail had taken her mum to Lochgelly Cemetery around one hour before the fire started, but Jock was still in the living room of the home when events started to unfold.

The 74-year-old said he had heard a 'whoosh' sound, as well as smelling smoke.

The newly-fitted interlinked alarms went off and neighbours were "kicking and screaming at the door shouting for him to get out quickly", Gail commented.

"A few neighbours had phoned the fire brigade and they were there in minutes.

"I was driving my mum and I back up Hamilton Street when we saw the smoke in the sky."

Forensic personnel who visited the site on Monday for insurance purposes have filed a report to suggest that electrical wiring in the loft may have been the cause of the fire, which quickly spread.

"The fire took hold in minutes," Gail continued.

"The house will have to be built again from scratch.

"They moved in in February 1982, so it's exactly 40 years later.

"It's so upsetting. Horrific.

"The upstairs is gone, completely gone. The downstairs is just black, with water damage as well.

"My partner (Jamie Gorrian) and I were able to collect some pictures from the living room but my mum had a cupboard in the big front bedroom which had family photos in it; baby pictures, weddings and other moments.

" All those memories are gone and we won't get them back.

"My mum and dad are old-fashioned as well, so they had money (cash savings) in the house, too, which isn't covered under the insurance."

Gail said Mary, 68, and Jock, 74, have only been left with the "clothes on their back" and are currently staying with her and Jamie, in Alloa, until the home can be rebuilt - which could take more than a year.

An online fundraising page has been launched by Jamie in an effort to help Gail's parents recover from the blaze.

In the space of just 24 hours, a total of £2,500 has been raised at the time of writing.

On Jamie's fundraiser, he said: "Everything they own was in it apart from the clothes they were wearing.

"The house is a total loss with nothing being salvageable apart from a few pictures we rescued.

"Thankfully no-one was hurt which is the main thing. However starting again at any age, nevermind there's, is a huge ask."

Gail told the Times that the level of support has been "overwhelming", adding that names she didn't even recognise had contributed to the growing fund.

She said: "We're receiving messages daily to ask how my mum and dad are. They are a well-known couple in Lochgelly.

"I want to thank every single person that has donated so far to this.

"The money will be spent on replacing what they have lost and what they'll need to basically start a home again.

"Some of it will also go towards a break to Blackpool for them, as they love going there and it will help them to get away from what has happened.

"I'm so upset for them. Everything is gone."

To donate and help Gail's parents, please visit the online fundraising page.