Somebody could have been killed by fireraisers

Owner of burnt-out car says vandals ‘put lives at risk’

An inferno started by fireraisers at a Glenrothes estate could have claimed lives say residents.

Flames engulfed a car and garden fence at Shiel Court after a wheelie bin was set alight in the early hours of yesterday.

“They have put lives at risk,” said Ian Briggs, 54, the shocked owner of the burnt out car.

“If my petrol tank had gone up, these houses here would have been at risk, those garages would have gone up and quite a few of the other cars would have gone up at the same time.”

The flames also melted the front of a black BMW 3 Series.

It follows a terrifying fireraising incident which happened about two weeks ago, just two miles away in the town’s Megginch Place. A caravan was destroyed and the intense heat blew out a bedroom window.

Residents of a Glenrothes estate say fireraisers who struck in the early hours put lives at risk.

Residents of Shiel Court were woken at around 4.30am yesterday by a blaze which engulfed a car and garden fence.

It is believed a wheelie bin was set alight and the fire spread to a silver Honda Civic. The flames also melted the front of a black BMW 3 Series.

Ian Briggs, 54, owner of the burnt-out car, said: “They have put lives at risk.

“If my petrol tank had gone up, these houses here would have been at risk, those garages would have gone up, and quite a few of the other cars would have gone up at the same time.”

Mr Briggs was woken by a neighbour banging on his door as the fire raged.

Debbie Rankine, 27, who called the emergency services, said: “I was lying in bed and heard a crackle and a popping noise. When I looked out of the window I saw the flames.

“People were worried that the fire was going to get to the other cars, or that the car was going to blow up.”

Police have appealed for anyone with information to get in touch on 101, quoting incident number 0414 of May 14, or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Detective Constable Stephanie Drummond of Glenrothes CID said: “This was a hugely reckless act and, thankfully, the fire was extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service before it could spread any further.

“As part of our investigation we’d urge anyone who may have seen suspicious behaviour in the area around this time, or who has any information which might be relevant, to contact us as soon as possible.”

It follows a fireraising incident two miles away in the town’s Megginch Place.

About two weeks ago Glenrothes couple Jean Smith and Robert Love were woken in the early hours as a blaze destroyed their caravan, which was parked beside their home.

An estimated £25,000 worth of damage was caused.

The fire engulfed a nearby fence, wheelie bin, garage door and rabbit hutch, and the intense heat of the 40-minute blaze broke a bedroom window.

Picture: Steven Brown. The ash-covered shell of the Honda Civic belonging to Ian Briggs which was destroyed in the fireraising incident in Glenrothes.

Picture: Steven Brown. The badly damaged Honda is removed after the blaze, below.