Another fire as residents report‘torment’
The fire service has had to attend another fire on Harthill Road – just one week after firefighters were attacked by youths with glass bottles and bricks on the very same road.
Fauldhouse residents say they are being ‘tormented’ by a gang of youths – who are allegedly the same young people who attacked firefighters with bricks and glass bottles last week.
Residents claim the kids have repeatedly targeted the area with fires, as well as tormenting locals by throwing eggs and rocks at nearby windows.
The firestarters are believed by locals to be the same group who threw glass bottles and rocks at firefighters on Monday, March 21.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 7.49pm on Sunday, March 27 to reports of a fire in the open at Harthill Road, Fauldhouse.
“Operations Control mobilised one fire appliance and firefighters extinguished a fire affecting grass.
“There were no reported casualties and crews left after ensuring the area was made safe.”
Another fire was attended to by the fire service on Falla Hill less than an hour later and just half a mile away – the fire service extinguished both grass and trees that were on fire before it spread out of control.
West Lothian has had an ongoing issue with arson, particularly from young people, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service shared that wilful fire raising across West Lothian and Falkirk nearly doubled last year.
Fires on Katherine Street in Livingston, Rowan Terrace in Blackburn, and multiple fires in Stewartfield Park in Broxburn were all raised wilfully.
SFRS has condemned the attack on its firefighters and warned that such behaviour will not be tolerated.
A Police Scotland spokesperson commented at the time: “We were called around 6.30pm on Monday, 21 March, to a report of a fire and youths throwing objects at fire fighters in the Harthill Road area of Fauldhouse.
“Officers attended and enquiries are ongoing to trace those responsible.”
Police have confirmed that enquiries are ongoing regarding the attack on firefighters last week.