Arsonist strikes 8 times
A phantom arsonist has struck EIGHT times in the last six months.
Residents grabbed their small baby and ran for their lives following the latest targeted blaze.
Now terrified neighbours are fearing for their safety – and they are desperate to stop the firebug before someone is killed.
In the latest incident, the dangerous fireraiser torched a pick- up truck outside a family home while the residents, including a baby in a cot, slept inside.
A shocked neighbour told the Post: “The farm jeep was parked near the house and the house was completely filled with smoke.”
Another family have been targeted by a phantom village arsonist.
Macmanniston Farm in Dalrymple was the latest to be targeted after a pick- up truck was torched while the residents slept in their bed.
The occupants are said to have a small baby which was sleeping in it’s cot when the attack happened on Monday, January 27.
A neighbour revealed that smoke began to engulf the house before the residents grabbed their baby and ran for their lifes.
The resident of Dalrymple told the Post: “The attack took place in the early hours of Monday morning.
“The farm jeep was parked near the house and the house was completely filled with smoke.
“The family have a small baby and there is also an elderly person living with them. Unsurprisingly they are extremely shaken up and distressed.”
In the last six months there are now thought to have been at least eight arson attacks in Dalrymple.
The Macmanniston Farm attack adds to four on village dog breeder Michael Ewing’s house back in July, three separate attacks on December 2 and another on a dwelling house on Hogmanay.
The luxury pick- up truck targeted in last week’s attack is almost identical to a vehicle which was targeted in December just 0.4 miles down the B7034 on Knockjarder Farm.
Last month we reported that a campaign to stop the culprit had been launched.
A spokesperson for the group, named ‘ Stop the Dalrymple Arsonist’, said: “This is another horrifying incident in our otherwise peaceful village.
“We are terrified it will happen again to someone with a worse outcome.
“Driving through Dalrymple is like driving through a war zone with the burnt out shell of Michael Ewing’s house, numerous burnt out vehicles scattered across three different arson sites and fire damage to many properties.
“It’s a miracle no one has been hurt.
“The arsonist is targeting Dalrymple and there is one shared sentiment in the village – stop them. No- one is safe. This will end with a funeral and an inquest.
“Dalrymple needs your help. Arsonists can’t help bragging. If anyone has any information please contact the police on 101. It could save a life.”
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Police are treating the incident as wilful and enquiries are ongoing.”
A spokesman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were alerted at 3.58am on Monday, January 27 to reports of a car on fire at a farm near Dalrymple.
“Operations Control mobilised one fire appliance and firefighters extinguished the flames.
“Crews left the scene after ensuring the area was made safe.”