The fire, which was started when rubbish in the stairwell was set alight, resulted in one resident being rescued from a first floor flat.

At one time five fire appliances were at the scene as residents from three blocks of flats were evacuated.

The situation was made worse when a gas leak was identified.

One eye-witness, who was in his flat at the time, stated he first became aware of the problem at around 8.30 pm.

He said: "I could smell burning and when I went outside there were Police, the Fire Brigade and an Ambulance.

"There was smoke coming out of the close of the next block up from me. One of my neighbours had to be rescued out of the window and taken down a ladder.

"Another old lady had to be taken out of her bedroom window.

"We were all standing outside and one lady who lives in the new houses further down the street came out with coffee for everyone.

"We got back into our house at about 12.30."

Station Manager Fraser Raitt of Tayside Fire and Rescue confirmed a call came in just before 9 pm saying there was a fire in the property at 78 South Street and that persons were trapped.

"Initially five appliances were sent and on arrival crews found a fire in the common close which had trapped people within the properties."

Station manager Raitt attended the scene and reported that all the residents had been rescued by the time he arrived.

He continued:"The occupants from a ground floor flat were escorted out at the rear of the property by fire-fighters.

"However one person from the first floor had to be rescued via a ladder."

Gas leak

He confirmed there was a gas leak but that was not the cause of the fire. Instead it was the careless disposal of smoking materials which set fire to rubbish in the stairwell.

He continued: "As a result it melted an old gas pipe. There wasn't a huge amount of gas but what we did as a precaution was we evacuated all the neighbouring premises. We waited for the gas board to isolate the pipe.

"Also, as a result of the fire there was damage to the electrical supply into the property and the Hydro Board was called to renew the cable."

Following the incident he stressed the need for residents to think about community safety.

"I would urge householders to ensure they don't leave any flammable material within common close areas. They should put it in a proper bin recess away from property.

"Once smoke builds up in a common stairwell it blocks the escape route for residents."

Sharon Miller-McKenzie, a spokesperson for Scotland Gas Networks said: "We were called out on Friday evening at around 10 pm.

"There had been a small gas leak on the two inch gas main. There was no danger at all and the service was repaired."

A spokesperson for Angus Council said: "We cannot comment on the cause of the fire at 78 South Street, Forfar as investigations are still ongoing by the fire service. However, we can confirm that gas safety was not threatened.

"We are taking steps to remind tenants to manage rubbish safely."