Huge piles of charred and melted rubbish have been left lying in a Paisley street after firebugs torched bins at a nearby flat.
Gangs of yobs piled up bags of trash in West Buchanan Place in the town’s west end last night, leaving a mound of charred remains in the common close.
The blaze is being treated as deliberately by cops, who are now hunting a gang of youths believed to have set two fires in the area yesterday.
Firefighters raced to the town’s west end to tackle both of the blazes which were set in George Street and nearby West Buchanan Place.
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Shocking pictures show piles of charred and melted rubbish strewn across West Buchanan Place, which is understood to have been the most significant fires of the two.
Firefighters were alerted to the first blaze in George Street shortly after 3pm yesterday after receiving a call from a nearby resident.
Three fire engines raced to the scene to tackle the bin fires, extinguishing the flames and ensuring the area was safe.
(Image: Andrew Neill)
Later that evening around 9.30pm, firefighters were called again to attend another blaze in the area – this time near to a building in West Buchanan Place.
Due to the proximity in both distance and time, firefighters considered the fires wilful and contacted police.
Cops in Paisley have now launched an investigation into the vandalism and wilful fire-raising, with officers carrying out a number of inquiries to determine the circumstances.
Detectives say reports from residents in the area suggest groups of youths were seen in the area and leaving before the fire took hold of the piles shortly.
They are now appealing for anyone in the area who may have information to get in touch.
A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: “Officers are investigating two fires which took place in George Street and West Buchanan Street in Paisley on April 6.
“Due to the proximity and timing of both these incidents, they are being treated as wilful.
“Officers are currently carrying out inquiries and speaking with residents in the area.
“We would urge anyone who may be able to assist with our inquiries to please get in touch.”
(Image: Andrew Neill)
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 3.05pm on Wednesday 6 April to reports of a fire affecting rubbish bins in George Street, Paisley.
“Operations control immediately mobilized three fire engines to the location and firefighters extinguished the fire.
“Crews left the scene after ensuring the area was made safe.
“We were alerted at 9.32pm on Wednesday 6 April to reports of rubbish on fire close to a building in West Buchanan Place, Paisley.
“Operations control immediately mobilized two fire engines to the location and firefighters extinguished the fire.
“Crews left the scene after ensuring the area was made safe.”
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