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Hunt for culprits as fire-ravaged Forfar Gables spared immediate demolition

The shut-down Arbroath Road facility has been a magnet for young vandals since Angus Council moved out in 2024.

The roof of The Gables was severely damaged by the weekend blaze. Image: Graham Brown/DC Thomson
The roof of The Gables was severely damaged by the weekend blaze. Image: Graham Brown/DC Thomson

This is the scene of devastation at The Gables in Forfar following the latest fire-raising attack.

But Angus Council has ruled out immediate demolition of the badly-damaged former adult care facility.

Detectives are still hunting the culprits responsible for setting the Arbroath Road building alight on Saturday morning.

It led to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service sending four crews to the scene.

Fire damage to The Gables former care facility in Forfar.
Four fire crews attended the latest incident at The Gables in Forfar. Image: Graham Brown/DC Thomson

The Gables, which was closed by the local authority in 2024, is directly adjacent to Forfar fire station.

Social media footage showed flames leaping from the building.

Locals reported a large pall of smoke over the town.

Roof of The Gables severely damaged

The aftermath has revealed part of the roof has been completely destroyed.

The extent of the damage raised concerns the property might have to be demolished for safety reasons.

However, Angus Council says the building will not be knocked down at this stage.

On Monday, a council spokesperson said: “Staff attended the site over the weekend while the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were at the scene and returned again this morning.

Gables care home on Arbroath Road in Forfar.
The training tower at Forfar fire station can be seen beside the former Gables home. Image: Graham Brown/DC Thomson

“The site has been secured and there is no requirement to carry out further action at this stage.”

Police Scotland said inquiries into the blaze are continuing.

Officers previously appealed for dashcam footage from motorists in the area on Saturday morning.

This month, councillors agreed to transfer the Gables site – once home to Forfar’s poorhouse – to Caledonia Housing Association.

It came after plans for an affordable housing project were rejuvenated.

A previous scheme was dropped on cost grounds in 2022.

It led to the property lying empty.

And following another deliberate fire there in February, images from inside the building revealed extensive vandalism.

Vandalism to Gables care facility in Forfar.
Evidence of fire damage following a previous incident in February. Image: Paul Reid

Those also showed evidence of fire damage to furniture.

The council has spent more than £15,000 on security measures since The Gables closed in March 2024.

The figure emerged through a Freedom of Information request after the authority admitted it still owned the site.

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