The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Police investigating a double dose of deliberate fire-raising
Fires wreck industrial unit and cause damage in public park
Police in Fife are investigating two fires started deliberately and almost simultaneously.
Just minutes after firefighters were called to a massive industrial unit blaze in Dalgety Bay, the alarm was raised about a fire in a public park in Leven.
In the first blaze, plumes of dense black smoke could be seen from miles around as firefighters battled to bring the fire in the disused building on Hillend Industrial Estate under control.
People were told to stay indoors amid fears the choking smoke contained asbestos.
However, the area containing asbestos was unaffected and there is no risk.
A joint investigation was immediately launched by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland and as a result they are now treating the blaze as deliberate.
They have appealed for witnesses and urged the public to stay away from the dangerous site.
Sergeant Kenny Bow said: “We’d urge anyone who may have seen suspicious behaviour in the area around this time to get in touch with us as soon as possible.”
He added the building is unstable and is not safe to enter.
“We’d urge parents, in particular, to speak to their children and reinforce the risks of entering the building and we ask local residents to be vigilant and report any signs of entry to us,” he said.
Building owner Carnoustie Limited has applied for a demolition order.
A spokesman said: “The building has been vacant for a few years and we have taken all the security measures recommended by the police, including the installation of metal sheeting by specialist contractors.
“Despite these measures, the building has been broken into on a number of occasions.”
Thanking the community for its continued support as inquiries continue, Mr Bow added that anyone with information should call 101, quoting incident number 3038 of September 6, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Meanwhile, the fire in Silverburn Park destroyed one outbuilding and damaged another.
As well as ruining a bouncy castle, it threatened a historic B-listed flax mill, which it is hoped will be converted into a hostel and meeting space.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Inquiries are ongoing to identify those responsible and anyone with information is asked to come forward.”
Silverburn Park is being revived by Fife Employment Access Trust and Fife Council.
The trust’s general manager, Duncan Mitchell, said: “The proximity of the fire to the flax mill is obviously of great concern.
“It could easily have caught the mill and created even more damage.”
Mr Mitchell said events planned for next month were now unlikely to go ahead because of damage to attractions.
The proximity of the fire to the flax mill is obviously of great concern. It could easily have caught the mill and created even more damage