Staff had to be evacuated from Barrhead Health and Care Centre on Christmas Day after firebugs set a large bin alight.

The yobs targeted the garbage container at the medical complex, in the town’s Main Street, shortly before 3pm.

Firefighters were quickly on the scene and managed to extinguish the blaze.
However, workers providing a 24-hour home care service from the building had to leave after smoke activated the fire alarm system.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said it sent two appliances after being called out at 2.46pm in response to the bin being torched.

A spokesperson added: “It was brought under control and we remained at the building until 3.45pm.”

One local resident who witnessed the fire told the Barrhead News: “You could see smoke and flames coming from a large commercial wheelie bin which was well ablaze near the car park.

“The concern was that it might spread to nearby buildings. Thankfully, the fire service arrived quickly and put out the fire.

“It is a horrible thing to happen on Christmas Day. You wonder what is going through people’s minds when they do such a thing, particularly when you consider there were staff working in the building at the time who then had to be evacuated.”

Police have confirmed they are treating the incident as wilful fireraising and have urged anyone who has information to come forward.

Officers are looking at footage from CCTV cameras in the area in an effort to identify those responsible.

A police spokesperson said: “The fire is being treated as wilful and enquiries are ongoing.

“There are no reports of any injuries.”

A spokesperson for the health and care centre added: “NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is continuing to support its emergency service colleagues and cannot comment further on an ongoing police investigation.”

Anyone who has information about the fire is asked to call the police on 101.