POLICE PROBE ACCIES BLAZE
Football gear is ruined
Police are hunting vandals who torched two metal containers at Hamilton Accies.
The suspicious fire has caused thousands of pounds worth of damage and has wrecked specialist equipment, new pitch covers and football nets. Accies’ chief Colin Mcgowan has hit out at those behind the act. He said: “While equipment can be replaced, it’s a sad reflection that this mindless act will hit the innocent people who benefit from our community work.”
Police are probing a suspicious fire at the grounds of Hamilton Accies Football Club that caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Detectives are continuing enquiries and appealing for information following the blaze at the stadium on Thursday, August 3.
At around 2.30am, police and emergency services attended the fire at the Cadzow Avenue ground.
There was significant damage to two metal containers within the grounds which contained specialist equipment, new pitch covers and football nets.
Items used by the Blameless charity, who are housed at the stadium and offer support to children and families affected by addiction, including children’s play equipment were also torched.
This week the club’s chief executive, Colin Mcgowan, spoke exclusively to the Advertiser about his disgust at such an act.
He said: “There was a considerable loss of equipment used for the club’s community and charitable work. Whilst equipment will be replaced, it’s a sad reflection that this mindless act will hit the innocent people who benefit from our community work.
“If the perpetrators are apprehended by the police then we will invite them to the club so that they can see the effect such selfish acts have on others.
“We’ve been inundated by messages of support from the local community and we thank them for their messages.”
One Accies fan, who did not wish to be named, said: “The club opens its doors and grounds to the community and helps many organisations including Blameless and they are thanked by people setting fire to their property. The people who did this should be ashamed.”
Whilst another added: “I was sorry to hear of the fire at the club. I hope there is no damage to the gardens and it does not hinder the work they do in the community.”
Detective Constable David Macfarlane, Cambuslang CID, said:“thankfully no one was injured in this fire, however, the cost of the damage is estimated to run into tens of thousands of pounds. The equipment was specialist and may take some time to replace or repair.
“We know of no reason for this to have happened other than wanton vandalism and a blatant disregard for the property of others.
“Anyone with information about the fire is urged to contact CID officers at Cambuslang via 101. We are keen to hear from anyone who saw anyone hanging about the area between 12.45am and 2.30am as their information may prove crucial to our investigation. Please quote incident number 0261/0308.’’