HUNT FOR FIREBUGS
Vandals warned after garages are damaged in mindless attacks
Mindless youths caused £10,000 worth of damage to lock-ups in East Kilbride by setting them alight.
Now the town’s fire chief Eddie Kelly has warned the culprits they are putting themselves in serious danger.
He said: “There could be cars or gas cylinders inside which would be a much more serious situation.”
Local residents are up in arms and there are calls for CCTV to be installed.
Mindless youths caused £10,000 worth of damage to lock-ups in Westwood and The Murray by maliciously setting them on fire.
And following a “significant increase” in wilful fireraising in recent months, East Kilbride fire chief Eddie Kelly has warned the culprits they are putting themselves in serious danger.
Concerned Westwood resident Jan Thomson alerted the News regarding the charred remains of lock-ups in Darwin Road after they were torched last Tuesday at around 7pm.
The fire service confirmed one of the lock-ups had been completely destroyed by fire and the adjoining units were also damaged in the blaze.
Last month, firefighters were alerted to a blaze at lock-ups in Dicks Park at around 2.30pm.
The fire spread to the adjacent unit where a car was parked inside. Fortunately, the crew were able to extinguish the blaze to prevent the flames from spreading further and saved the car from any heat or smoke damage.
Both fires are believed to have been started deliberately.
Jan says members of the community have reached boiling point with antisocial youths targeting the area.
“Youths are causing issues with anti-social behaviour,” she said. “Vandalising cars, smashing bottles, breaking in and hanging around the garages. I’m scared to leave my car there.
“When the garages were set alight, kids as young as eight were out playing at the swing park right in front of them. The garage which has the worst damage is a total danger.”
Fire chief Kelly revealed he is in talks with South Lanarkshire Council to have CCTV installed in the area.
He said: “Fires within this type of property have significantly increased over the last few months.
“Fires spread very easily from one lock-up to the other so there is a big concern for the safety of the kids doing this; because they don’t know what’s inside they are putting themselves in danger of getting seriously hurt.
“There could be cars or gas cylinders inside which would be a much more serious situation.”
PC Lucie Black said police and the fire service will be visiting schools this month to educate youths on the consequences of fireraising and added: “Police are aware of ongoing issues around this location in relation antisocial behaviour and youth disorder.
“Officers from the local problemsolving team will be providing an increased presence and robust attention to the area. If anyone has any information in relation to these fires please contact police on 101.”
The council’s executive director of housing resources Daniel Lowe said: “The cost of damage to the lock-ups is estimated at £10,000. We are in discussion with Police Scotland and the fire service about the location of CCTV.”