At that point, flames from the first floor burst into the dormer rooms in the attic and then through the roof.

The woman who died is thought to have been in the dormer, the remains of which crashed down into the first floor.

Five tenders, including an aerial platform, were used while police cordoned off the street and paramedics gave oxygen to those rescued.

By first light the extent of the damage was clear — the first floor was gutted and virtually all the roof had collapsed.

At an early stage in the operation one person was listed as missing but, before investigators and police forensic experts could conduct an investigation, engineers were brought in to assess the building.

Shortly after 10am, Fife Constabulary confirmed a woman had died and that the exact cause was being investigated.

Divisional Officer Mike Doherty, who co-ordinated the operation, said he could not praise his officers enough.

“They worked hard in extremely hazardous circumstances,” he said.

“They were exceptionally professional.

“The premises were a series of compartments, the double glazing kept the heat in and it was all very smoke-logged.”

Around 30 residents in neighbouring flats were evacuated to the nearby Pathead Halls as a precaution.

Nearby resident David Stewart watched the drama unfold.

He said, “At one point there was just smoke and I saw a fireman on a ladder speaking to someone inside,” he said.

“Minutes later the entire roof just went up in flames.

“Despite that, the firefighters still went in, they were very brave.”

As the investigation continues into the cause, the fire service said there was no evidence of smoke detectors in the premises.