Police hunt firebug louts
Police are hunting “reckless” firebugs who torched two former West Lothian leisure centres within a matter of days.
Huge flames leapt from the roof of Broxburn Swimming Pool as thick, black smoke billowed into the night sky on Saturday.
Then on Monday night, firebugs set the former Xcite Livingston building alight.
Police say they are both deliberate and are “keeping an open mind” as to whether the two are linked and have appealed for information.
On Saturday evening police closed East Main Street in Broxburn as fire crews tackled the fierce blaze, which began at around 6.30pm.
Nobody was injured but firefighters remained at the scene overnight.
Detective Constable Chris Watson said: “Fortunately no one was injured but this was a reckless act by those responsible for this fire that could have harmed them or others.
“The fire is being treated as wilful and we are carrying out enquiries to establish the full circumstances.
“We are asking anyone with information that could assist with our investigation to get in touch.
“If you saw anything suspicious or know who may have been responsible then let us know.
“In addition, if you have private CCTV footage that could help then call us, and if you were driving in the area around the time of this fire please check your dash-cam to see if there is anything that might be useful to officers.”
The former Xcite swimming pool on Almondvale Parkway was then set alight shortly after 11pm on Monday night.
The fire was extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and no one was injured.
Detective Inspector Keith Sinclair said: “Our enquiries into a similar incident at Broxburn Xcite swimming pool on Saturday, 23 March remains ongoing and at this stage we cannot say whether these incidents are linked, although we are keeping an open mind.”