Appeal for witnesses after more East Kilbride flats targeted by firebugs

Police are appealing for witnesses after a fire was deliberately started outside a block of flats in East Kilbride.

The blaze in Trinidad Way happened around 1pm on Monday, July 1.

Fire crews extinguished the flames and fortunately no one was injured in the incident.

Appealing for information, detective Constable Grant McKechnie said: “We are carrying out enquiries and the fire is being treated as wilful.

“Thankfully no one was injured, and the fire was contained outside the property but the consequences could have been far more serious.

“As part of our investigation we are asking anyone in the area with private CCTV to check it and get in touch if there is anything that could assist with our enquiries.

“In addition, if you saw or heard anything suspicious then please also make contact with officers.”

The vandalism is the latest in a spate of incidents across the town including two wilful fires at the derelict Whitehills Farm in the space of a week.

The Queensway tunnel, between the Murray and Churchill Avenue area of the town centre, was set alight in the early hours of Saturday, June 15 and two separate blocks of flats in Greenhills earlier this month, at burnt-out residential properties in Whitelee and at the former Acorn Park Care Home which has since been demolished.

Last summer firefighters in Scotland responded to at least 40 deliberate fires every day.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is warning of a needless drain on resources over the next few months if the number reaches the same levels as last year.

The SFRS is warning of the risks deliberate fires pose as it launches its Safer Summer 2024 campaign.

The campaign aims to help tackle anti-social behaviour and deliberate fires as crews enter the summer period.

Anyone with information on the Trinidad Way fire is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1373 of Monday, 1 July, 2024, or get in touch with Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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