Cops probe deliberate fires at housing site that destroyed equipment
Firebugs torched safety kit at Paisley development
Firebugs caused thousands of pounds of damage to a Paisley housing development after they torched building materials.
A gang of youths set two fires within the Taylor Wimpey Hawkhead Gardens site over the weekend resulting in high-value safety equipment being destroyed.
Security staff at the Hawkhead Road estate contacted emergency services on two separate occasions on Friday and Saturday after youths gained access to the site and set materials alight.
The first blaze was started in a skip on November 5, and the youths set piles of pallets alight on November 6.
Taylor Wimpey confirmed neither of the fires were near any completed homes or homes under construction, but safety equipment worth thousands of pounds was damaged.
Firefighters and police discovered a “well developed” fire when they arrived on the scene on Saturday shortly after 4.30pm.
Police in Paisley have now launched an investigation and are urging anyone who may have seen anyone on the site to get in touch.
Detective inspector Ian Ross, of Paisley CID, said: “This was an act of wilful fire-raising which could have caused a significant amount of damage on the site.
“A number of building materials were set alight, resulting in the fire being well developed by the time police officers and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service arrived on the scene.
“This has resulted in equipment on the site worth thousands of pounds being destroyed due to this careless act of vandalism.
“We are now investigating and are keen to speak with anyone who may have seen or heard anyone on near the housing development late on Saturday afternoon.
“Anyone with information can get in touch with police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
A spokesperson for Taylor Wimpey West Scotland said: “We can confirm that youths started two fires at Hawkhead Gardens in Paisley over the weekend.
“The first incident took place in a skip on Friday, November 5.
“The second incident, involving wooden pallets, took place on Saturday, November 6 which damaged some safety equipment causing several thousand pounds worth of damage.
“We would like to reassure the local community that no-one was hurt and both incidents were well away from our build area and customer’s homes.
“The health and safety of our customers, staff and the wider community is of the utmost importance to us, and we can confirm the fire brigade dealt with these incidents along with support from our site and on-site security teams.”