Man critical after suspicious flat fire

A man is in a critical condition in hospital following a suspicious fire at a flat in Paisley.

Police and emergency services were called to the ground floor flat on George Street in the Renfrewshire town just before 9pm on Monday.

There was no-one in the flat at the time, but three residents from the block were taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation.

The 51-year-old neighbour from a ground floor flat remains in intensive care in hospital. Staff have described his condition as critical.

A six-year-old boy and another man who live in the property above were taken to hospital, but have since been discharged.

A number of other residents were evacuated as a precaution, but have since returned to their homes.

Police are treating the incident as wilful fire-raising and appealed for information.

Detective Inspector David Wagstaff said: “Officers, including a forensic team, are carrying out a search of the flat and also speaking to neighbours in an effort to trace the person responsible for the fire.

“Whilst there may have been no-one in the flat that was targeted, this irresponsible and thoughtless act has resulted in a neighbour being seriously ill in hospital. George Street is residential and it is entirely possible that people would have been in the street or driving by at the time.”