RESIDENTS FLEE FIRE
Investigators believe blaze at flats was started deliberately
A Rutherglen woman escaped serious injury when she was pulled from a fire-engulfed block of flats in the town on Monday.
Nikki Beecham was in her ground-floor flat at 136 Main Street when the common close went up in flames at around
10.30am. She was one of four people forced to flee the flats next to St Columbkille’s Church when the close and an exterior bin shed were set alight in what firefighters suggest was adeliberate fire.
Nikki told the Reformer:“I was lying on my bed watching TV and heard my neighbour outside. I looked out and saw a girl really distressed.
“I went to run out to her because I know her. When I opened my flat door the close was filled with smoke. So I went inside and opened my bedroom window. I got out through the window with the help of two guys passing by.”
All four residents received precautionary treatment for smoke inhalation by paramedics but no one was seriously hurt.
Firefighters were called to deal with an initial report of a fire in a bin shed but discovered on arrival that the common close was also alight.
A further three appliances – from Polmadie, Clydesmill and Calton – attended and the fires were put out.
Robert Deans, area commander at Clydesmill Fire Station, said the fact that fires had been started in two areas, the close and the bin shed, suggested the fire was not accidental.
He said:“This was a significant incident and had the potential to endanger the lives of all the residents within that block of flats.
“I would appeal for anyone who has information relating to the fire to contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”