Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Blaze drama on Main Street
A number of properties were “extensively damaged” and nightclub revellers had to be evacuated as a ferocious fire – believed to have been deliberately set – tore through several premises on Coatbridge Main Street.
Firefighters spent nearly four hours dousing the blaze after police on patrol in the town centre reported seeing smoke at 11.54pm on Sunday.
Among the properties affected was the site of the former Independent Bar, while clubbers at nearby Hush were escorted from the dancefloor into the street.
Fortunately no-one was inside any of the premises at the time of the blaze, but several buildings have now been deemed “unsafe” and many neighbouring businesses have been unable to “open up and operate normally” since.
A joint investigation involving Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has been launched, with enquiries revealing the fire was set deliberately.
An employee at Hush told the Advertiser the consequences of the blaze could have been much worse: “We were let off lightly. Had it been later we would have had a lot more people to evacuate. The club was not affected by the fire and will be open on Thursday as normal.”
Police are carrying out door-todoor enquiries and have urged members of the public to come forward with any details that can assist their investigation.
Detective Sergeant Peter Lennon said: “We are in the process of gathering CCTV for any additional information which could assist us.
“If you were in the area of Main Street on Sunday night between 10.30pm and 11.30pm, please think back and consider if you noticed anything unusual or suspicious.
“Did you see anyone hanging around outside these properties or notice anyone running away?
“I am appealing for anyone with any information, no matter how small it may seem, to get in touch with us and pass it on.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact CID officers at Coatbridge police office via 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where you can pass information on anonymously.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue spokesman added: “Firefighters tackled the blaze externally for several hours and used three powerful water jets and the aerial rescue platform to attack the flames from above. Crews successfully brought the fire under control at around 3.15am.
“They carried out dampening down work and checked for fire spread in adjacent buildings before leaving at 10.58am on Monday after ensuring the safety of the public. No casualties were reported and enquiries into the cause of the fire will be carried out in due course.”