Firebugs torched flats four times in two days
Major probe launched
Detectives are hunting firebugs who targeted the same flats four times in less than 48 hours.
Yobs sparked terror with a series of dangerous fires – including one inside the close – at the block in Paisley’s Brediland Road.
Officers say the first blaze was set just before 1am on Monday morning when bins were torched close to the building.
The most serious incident came at around 9.30pm the same day when thugs set fire to bins against a flat door.
And two further sets of wheelie bins were torched at 2.10am and 5.30am yesterday morning. It is understood no one was seriously injured during the spate of fires.
A major investigation has now been launched to catch whoever is behind the cowardly crimes.
CID cops carried out door-to-door enquiries in the area and scenes of crime officers visited in a bid to find clues that could lead them to the culprit.
The same block was also targeted last month, when a wheelie bin was pulled into the close and set alight, sparking an evacuation of the building as it filled with smoke.
Detective Inspector Ross McDonald, from Paisley CID, has called on members of the public to come forward with information to help catch those responsible.
He said: “A number of potentially dangerous fires were deliberately set close to and within a block of flats in Brediland Road within a short period of time.
“Wheelie bins were set alight at 12.55am and 9.30pm on Monday.
“During the 9.30pm incident, the bins were pulled against a flat door within the close, which could have resulted in very serious consequences for those inside,.
“Thereafter more wheelie bins at the block were set on fire at 2.10am and 5.30am on yesterday.
“We are therefore very keen to trace whoever is responsible.
“We are appealing to anyone with any information in relation to these incidents to speak to us. I would also ask drivers who may have been in the area to check their dash cam footage to see if they may have captured any suspicious activity.”
If you have any information, contact Paisley CID on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.