The blaze, which ripped through a garage workshop last month, led to the closure of Main Street for around 24 hours while potentially explosive oxyacetylene cylinders were allowed to cool.

Councillor Jim Muirhead (Lab) told a meeting of Gorebridge Community Council: "When something like that happens which is difficult to deal with, I think it's important that we learn lessons from it."

The police officer at the roadblock was not familiar with alternative routes as residents asked how to make their way through the town, Councillor Muirhead said.

"There were a lot of queries like that which the officer was not able to answer – it would be helpful to get a local officer," he added.

Community beat officer, PC Martin Doyle, said many local officers had been involved in a recent murder inquiry, but he added: "You never know where you're going to get sent, that's why I always make sure there's a map in my hat."

In the wake of the fire, an emergency planning meeting was held between Midlothian Council commercial services and police.

Newbyres Medical Centre had to close during the disruption, with medical emergencies being dealt with at Newbyres Village care home.

Councillor Muirhead continued: "I know some discussions had taken place the night before, but the doctors and all the staff turned up at the road block trying to get down to the medical centre."

Staff had to be escorted to the medical centre by a fire crew to change the messages on their phones, Mr Muirhead said, adding: "There were constant groups of people coming down to try and get appointments – some kind of notice would have been handy."

Minute secretary Peter Maher said: "The emergency services deserve praise, because they acted very quickly."