Pet dog dies in suspicious Newyear flat fire

CRUEL FIREBUGS killed a family pet dog after they torched an Aberdeen flat on NewYear’s Day.

The family home is believed to have been set alight by a firework lobbed through one of the bedroom windows.

Eight residents were evacuated from the property as firefighters tackled the early morning blaze.

No one was injured but a dog was found dead in the flat.

Fire crews took nearly an hour to get the blaze under control but the building was left with extensive damage.

Emergency crews were called to the scene at about 1am on Tuesday.

Yesterday police said the suspicious fire had caused “great upset” to the family who owned the dog.

A Grampian Police spokesman said: “The incident occurred between the late evening of Monday December 31 and the early hours of January 1 2013 at the residential flat at 110 Leslie Terrace.

“No persons were injured as a result of the fire, however the family pet dog was found dead within. The flat was also extensively damaged.”

A joint police and fire service investigation was under way yesterday.

Grampian Police Investigating Off icer Detective Constable Allan said: “This incident has caused the family great upset and clearly had the potential for more tragic consequences.

“I would appeal to anyone who may have information in relation to the incident or saw anything they think may have been suspicious to get in contact.”