A FIRE which took place in the Victoria Hospital last night (Tuesday) is being treated as "wilful" by police.

The blaze in a male public toilet near to the entrance of the hospital triggered an emergency response at around 9pm and led to the evacuation of one ward.

Police say enquiries are ongoing into the incident.

NHS Fife have confirmed that no patients or staff were injured and the fire was contained to the toilet area.

A statement continued: "Last night the male public toilet near the main entrance to the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy was wilfully set alight around 9pm.

"The Fire Service attended and dealt with the fire swiftly, managing to contain it to the toilet area.

"There was however a significant amount of smoke and the Accident and Emergency Observation Ward had to be evacuated as a precaution.

"No patients or staff were injured during the incident and the Accident and Emergency Observation Ward was reinstated around 10.45pm with patients returning to the area.

"The toilet area is currently cordoned off and NHS Fife is working with Police Scotland and aiding them with their investigation.

"NHS Fife would like to thank our staff and blue light colleagues for their swift action to contain this fire, helping to ensure the safety of our patients and colleagues on site last night and minimise the damage caused."

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said they were alerted to the fire at 8.47pm.

"Operations Control mobilised five fire appliances to the area, where firefighters extinguished a fire within a ground floor toilet," they said.

"Crews left the scene after working to make the area safe. There were no casualties."

A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed: “Around 9.45pm on Tuesday, 16 May, 2023, officers received a report of a fire at a hospital in Kirkcaldy.

“The fire is being treated as wilful and enquiries are ongoing.”