TAXIS TORCHED

Vehicles worth £250k ruined in fire attack on private hire firm

Destructive vandals caused £250,000 worth of damage as they burnt out part of a brand-new fleet of taxis at a private hire firm in a targeted attack.

The firebugs torched five 2017-plate Mercedes V- Class vehicles at Penny Cars’ base in Chapelhall in shocking scenes just after midnight on Saturday.

Fortunately no- one was injured in the blaze but the office had to be evacuated while firefighters tackled the flames at the Bo’ness Road facility.

And company boss Stevie Malcolm claimed his staff’s lives were put at risk by the heartless arsonists.

Mr Malcolm, who owns a string of private hire firms, said he had been warned by police two months ago that his business was in danger of being targeted.

The stunned boss said: “My main concern is for staff who had to be evacuated due to the callous act that endangered their lives while working in the building. Five vehicles were

badly damaged.

“Only two months ago, police informed us that they had legitimate intelligence to suggest that our cars in the car park would be deliberately targeted and set on fire.

“Thankfully, and most importantly, no member of staff was hurt.”

Sources said Mr Malcolm had upset rival firms by offering their drivers one-off payments of up to £1000 to work for him.

He responded: “To be clear, we offer new drivers incentives to join us and drive brand-new vehicles to assist our growing fleet of over 300 cars and accommodate the demand from our customers.

“These claims of ‘poaching’ are from jealous competitors with substandard vehicles.”

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson told the Advertiser: “At 12.16am on August 12, we were alerted to reports of vehicles on fire in Chapelhall.

“Two fire appliances were immediately mobilised to the scene of the incident which occurred at Bo’ness Road.

“Firefighters used high pressure hose reels to extinguish the fire that involved six vehicles.

“Crews left the scene after ensuring the area was made safe.”

A police spokeswoman confirmed officers were called to the fire at Penny Cars’ headquarters at around 12.15am and said: “Following a joint investigation between police and fire services, the incident is being treated as wilful fire-raising.

“Inquiries are continuing and anyone with information relating to this incident is urged to make contact with Detective Sergeant David Lamont at Coatbridge CID on 101.

“Or contact Crimestoppers via 0800 555 111.”

We offer new drivers incentives to join us and drive band-new vehicles to assist growing fleet

Set alight The Mercedes V-Class vehicles were targeted in the fire Up in smoke Flames billow from the yard after fire-raisers strike