Former Cavendish burned to ground after fire

Fire crews were called to the Hazelwood Bar, formerly known as The Cavendish in Nitshill Road at about 2.30am on Saturday.

The building was empty at the time, and no one was injured however the interior of the pub has been left gutted.

The bar is said to have sustained “substantial damage” as a result of the blaze and this week detectives are appealing for information.

Detective Inspector Tom McKean, who is leading the inquiry, said: “Thankfully, no one was injured as a result of this fire but it is vital that we trace those responsible as soon as possible.

“I would like to appeal to anyone who was around the Nitshill Road area of Darnley in the early hours of Saturday morning and who has seen or heard anything suspicious to get in touch with us.” The pub was put under new management and completely re-branded after the establishment become the first pub in Scotland to be permanently shut under new laws after police discovered an arsenal of 29 hidden weapons while investigating the violent death of a customer.

Knives, swords, machetes, hammers, axes and baseball bats were found in the Caven­dish Bar after Neilston man John McCarron knifed William Auld a total of 16 times in January, 2010.

The court heard how the attack happened on January 3 at the bar which McCarron had been in charge of for the previous eight years.

During the trial, held in August 2010, it was heard that Mr Auld had gone there having watched that day’s Old Firm match on TV at home.

Violence erupted around closing time when the girlfriend of Mr Auld’s son tried to buy a bottle of vodka.

Mr Auld tried to calm the situation but McCarron raced from behind the bar armed with a knife.

McCarron then repeatedly stabbed the man to death in front of stunned drinkers at the packed pub. He was convicted of Mr Auld’s murder and sentenced to 18 years.

As the Barrhead News went to print, a 58 year-old man has been arrested in connection with alleged wilful fire-raising.