‘Real risk to life’in the middle of night

Residents in a quiet street spoke of their shock this week after two cars were torched there in the early hours.

The incident occurred in Hill Street, Tillicoultry, about 1.30am on Thursday November 8 as residents were sleeping.

Police said the blaze posed “a real risk” to life. They have begun an investigation and are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

One resident told the Observer: “It was pretty terrifying. I have never seen anything like it. People came out into the street worried about what was going on and to check their own cars.

“It’s a very narrow street with cars parked on either side. The flames could have easily jumped from one side of the street and on to vehicles on the other side of the road setting them alight.

“It would have been dangerous

to leave a house front door with a car alight outside. The flames could have set houses alight. The pavements are narrow as well.

“When you step back and think about it, it could have been a lot worse.”

It was estimated the flames from one of the cars’ bonnets was about 10ft high.

The resident explained she had been dozing when she heard a loud bang about 1.30am. When she looked outside she could see a car on fire further along the street.

She added: “The front of the car was just flames – and another parked in front of it had also caught fire. Within about five minutes other residents were out in the street.

“Some were comforting a couple I assume were a car’s owners.”

After the fire was extinguished the cars were taken away.

The resident added: “The firefighters looked underneath other vehicles to check for embers I guess. Police also took statements from people in the street.”

Sergeant Josephine Moffat, of Forth Valley police, said this week: “The fire posed a real risk to life. Fortunately the fire service was able to deal with this incident quickly and efficiently and no one was injured.

“Officers are investigating the circumstances leading up to and after this incident and are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen anything or heard anything.

“A vehicle, possibly a white BMW, was seen in the area about this time and we are interested in speaking to the occupants of this car.

“Anyone with information can call Police Scotland on 101 – quoting incident 0186 of November 8 – or make an anonymous call through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”