By Paul Reoch

A BLAZE that led to more than 30 people being evacuated from their homes in Perth is believed to have been started deliberately, possibly by youths, it was claimed last night.

The fire took place at a disused railway yard in Tulloch Road, beside Tulloch Works, at 8.02pm on Thursday.

The building was formerly a railway marshalling yard.

British Transport Police (BTP) are now looking for information on three youths, aged between 12 and 14.

The blaze measured 30 metres by 30 metres (almost 100 feet by 100 feet), and was visible from Perth town centre and beyond.

The fire spread rapidly and the building is now completely destroyed.

Thirty four householders from Gorse Loan and Guards Way were evacuated and given temporary accommodation at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel. They returned to their homes yesterday morning.

The fire is now being dealt with by British Transport Police, who will be assisted by Tayside Fire and Rescue in their investigation, but it has already been stressed that the fire was started wilfully.

Detective Inspector John Harrington of British Transport Police (BTP) told The Courier that young children may have been involved and he is appealing for witnesses to come forward.

“Our investigations are at an early stage, although there is no doubt that this fire was started deliberately,” he said.

“I would ask anyone with any information whatsoever to come forward.

“I am particularly keen to trace three children who we believe may have spoken with firefighters near the scene and a youth by the name of William or Willie who may have seen something.

“I am also keen to speak to a man who may have spoken to at least one of the children.”

Inspector Harrington said that the culprits involved would have smelt of fuel or smoke.

He added, “At the moment we do not know if an accelerant was used to fuel the fire, but those responsible may have returned home smelling of smoke or possibly petrol.

“I would ask anyone who may have noticed anything suspicious in the area of Tulloch Road to contact ourselves.

“I would also ask that anyone working in local garages or petrol stations come forward if they noticed anything suspicious including anyone who may have purchased small quantities of petrol in a can or other container.”

Four appliances were used to put out the fire with a command support unit sent from Dundee.

Firefighters used three jets and an aerial ladder.

A spokesperson for Tayside Fire and Rescue said that one appliance had returned to the scene yesterday, with fire crew dampening down “hot spots.”

And Perth and Kinross Council confirmed that they had set up a temporary emergency rest centre for residents affected by the smoke.

A council spokesman yesterday said, “We set up the centre at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel for people from 11 households that were evacuated in Gorse Loan and Guards Way,

“People from nine of those households were provided with overnight accommodation at the hotel by the council.

“This comprised of a total of 22 people, including five small children and a severely disabled woman.

“People from the other two households made their own overnight arrangements.

“All of the families who were evacuated were allowed to return to their homes this morning.”

The three youths BTP would like to speak too are described as being aged 12 to 14 years, slim and between 5ft 4 and 5ft 8 in height.

Two of the boys had short brown hair and the other had reddish hair.

Anyone with information should contact British Transport Police on 0800 405040 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.