BLAZE THREAT

Published 13 May 2010 10:12

ALARMED residents say it is only a matter of time before someone dies after a worrying spate of fires.

On Saturday three separate blazes were started in Barrhead at Shanks Industrial Estate, Graham Street and Aurs Drive.

And last week mindless vandals attempted to torch a property in Newton Avenue, Auchenback, by setting the front door on fire.

Now residents have urged the emergency services and East Renfrewshire Council to crack down on those responsible before someone is killed.

John Wilson lives on Victoria Road which looks onto where the blazes were started in Shanks on Saturday.

He told the News because the fires were in such close proximity to the houses neighbouring the industrial estate there could have been a disaster.

He said: "The fire on Saturday was very bad.

"I don't know if there is petrol in some of these units but if there had been where this fire was then it would have been extremely dangerous.

"If the fire brigade hadn't got there in time it could have been a lot worse.

"It is quite possible that someone could end up seriously hurt by one of these fires.

"I heard what sounded like a gas canister exploding and if a child was in there when that happened it could have been fatal."

John, who worked at Shanks for 30 years, added: "I don't know where all these tyres come from but people are dumping them there all the time, even in broad daylight, and if you walk through that estate you see hundreds of them.

"I have spoken to the council about all the flytipping that goes on but they can't do anything about it because it is not their property.

"It is about time the owner took responsibility for the site - somebody needs to."

John's neighbour Cheryl Currie contacted the News to tell of the fires at Shanks.

She said: "Unfortunately, this time the tyres were moved nearer to the entrance of the industrial park and the fire was then started causing it to be very near the houses in Victoria Road.

"The residents are tired of the park being used as a dumping ground and the tyres regularly being set on fire.

"There are lots of kids playing in this area due to the two housing estates at the end of Victoria Road and it is dangerous for them."

A police spokesman confirmed the fire at Shanks Industrial Estate on Saturday at 9.15pm was a combination of tyres and rubbish set alight.

Fortunately, despite taking place just yards from residential properties, the flames caused no significant damage.

However, the blaze in Newton Avenue at around 2am on May 4 is being treated as wilful fire raising by police.

Barrhead fire service also attended and extinguished two fires in Graham Street and Aurs Glen, both after 5.30pm on Saturday.

Anyone with information on the fires should contact Barrhead police on 0141 532 6200.

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This article appeared in Barrhead News 12 May 10

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