Cops probe yard blaze

Oct 21 2009 by Bryan Brough, Paisley Daily Express

POLICE were yesterday hunting arsonists who started four separate fires at a builders’ yard and left a trail of damage costing tens of thousands of pounds.

Fuel is thought to have been used to destroy the cabin of a six-tonne lorry before a van and a 25-foot-long speedboat were also torched.

Flames from one of the fires spread to a nearby wooden shed and that was also extensively damaged.

Last night, the cost of the damage was estimated to be between £30,000 and £35,000.

Police are treating the incident as suspicious and inquiries are ongoing.

One officer said: “We’ve had a report from the fire service and this is now a case of wilful fireraising.”

The firebugs targeted Rossco Builders Merchants, in Holehouse Road, Neilston, on Sunday night.

Flames and smoke were spotted billowing from the premises at around 11.30pm.

One eyewitness told the Paisley Daily Express: “It looked like a serious fire. There were flames lighting up the night sky and, at first, I thought it was one blaze. Only later did I hear that separate fires were started within the yard.

“Vehicles, a boat and a shed were all badly damaged.

“I think more than one business uses that builders’ yard and nothing like this has ever happened there before.

“The cost to repair the damage must run into tens of thousands of pounds.”

More than 10 firefighters were called to the scene and experts are now trying to find out what was used to start the fires.

One source said: “Why this happened is all a bit of a mystery.”

Police have been looking at CCTV footage in the hope the arsonists were caught on film.

In an appeal for witnesses, a police spokesman said: “If anyone saw someone acting suspiciously in and around this builders’ yard on Sunday night, let us know by ringing Barrhead Police Office on 0141 532 6200 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Yesterday, the Express told how firebugs went on the rampage in and around Paisley town centre in the early hours of Monday morning.

The arsonists struck six times, with the most serious blaze taking place at the Taste Buds diner and takeaway shop in Lawn Street, where an estimated £50,000 worth of damage was caused.