Firebugs target flats twice

Kirsty McKenzie

Firebugs sparked terror in a block of Paisley flats after igniting a series of blazes at the same building twice in one night.

Residents were targeted with a spate of dangerous fires – including one inside the close – at the block in Paisley’s Brediland Road.

The first blaze was set at around 7pm on Thursday night when two bins were torched close to the building.

The thugs then struck again at midnight, setting a security door alight in a common close and frightened residents rushed to extinguish the flames.

It is understood no one was injured during the spate of fires and the damage is minimal.

A investigation has now been launched to catch whoever is behind the cowardly crimes.

Detectives, who are treating the incidents as wilful fireraising, have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

The same street was also targeted earlier this summer, when firebugs sparked flames in the same flats four times in less than 48 hours.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We are investigating a incident of wilful fireraising in Brediland Road in Paisley on Thursday evening into Friday morning.

“A security door in the common close of a block of flats was set alight.

“Residents extinguished the fire before it took hold and the damage is minimal. Throughout the course of the night two wheely bins were also set on fire.

“We are very keen to speak to anyone who may have information in relation to this incident.

“If you saw anyone acting suspiciously before or after then we would like to hear from you.”

A spokesman for The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were alerted at 7.10pm on Thursday to reports of a fire on Brediland Road.

“Operations Control mobilised one pump and there were no casualties.

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

If you have any information, you should contact Police on 101 or Cr i m e s t o p p e r s, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Residents extinguished the fire before it took hold