Owner left ‘devastated’ as caravan gets torched

HOMEOWNER has been left “devastated” after her £6,000 caravan was left ablaze on her driveway in Dundee.

The mobile home was destroyed outside the house on St Fillans Road in the early hours of Saturday.

Police confirmed the blaze is being treated as wilful, as door-to-door inquiries were conducted in the St Mary’s area of the city.

The owner, who did not wish to be named, said there was a “huge explosion” shortly after 1.30am.

The 73-year-old said: “I was awoken by this huge explosion.

“My bedroom doesn’t look out that way but when I stepped out on the landing I saw the flames.

“At first I wasn’t sure if it was the fence or the caravan.

“I contacted the emergency services. They were here within minutes. The (fire fighters) and police told me to stay inside. There was one gas bottle inside the caravan, thankfully they were able to remove it as they tackled the blaze.

“I’ve been up all night in the aftermath. “You can see there is a huge hole blown out the side of it – it’s irreparable.”

The pensioner, who only purchased the caravan last year, said forensic officers were at the scene at around 11am.

She added: “The police have kept a visible presence outside the house throughout the morning.

“Forensic officers came and have done what they need to do.

“The caravan was only purchased last year and I’m absolutely devastated that this has happened.

“When I saw the extent of the damage I was heartbroken. It cost me £6,000.

“I had trips planned for the summer and they’ve been ruined by this senseless act.”

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) confirmed two appliances from Macalpine Fire Station attended the scene.

Crews used two hose reel jets and a thermal imaging camera before standing down shortly before 2am.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Officers received a report of a caravan on fire on St Fillans Road, Dundee around 1.30am on Saturday, May 21, 2022.

“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the fire and there were no reports of any injuries.

“The fire is being treated as wilful and inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”