Brechin residents have been urged to play their part in pinpointing the culprits behind a suspicious blaze in the latest local incident of potentially lethal anti-social behaviour.
Police Scotland confirmed a fire which tore through a large derelict building in the town’s St Andrew Street is being treated as suspicious and is the subject of a joint investigation with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service colleagues.
The old property, which sits between Townhead Bed and Breakfast and Brechin’s Maisondieu Primary School was reported alight just before 6pm on a busy Sunday evening for local firefighters.
Their prompt response prevented the building from being gutted, but it is believed to have suffered significant internal damage and remained cordoned off on Monday, with police remaining at the scene.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “SFRS extinguished the fire and fortunately no-one was injured.
“The fire is being treated as suspicious at this time, and a joint investigation will commence.”
Angus Council leader David Fairweather said: “It’s disappointing that something like this has happened and I am sure the police and fire service will follow up any reliable contact they have.
“If it is vandalism of the worst type, which could be life-threatening, I hope the culprits will be held to account,” he added.
The fire follows another incident at a prominent town building in the same week which resulted in police charging a number of youths.
Police and firefighters were called after the youngsters were spotted on scaffolding at the Gardner Memorial Church in the town’s Southesk Street shortly before 11pm on April 29.
Firefighters helped remove the five youths from the roof of the building.
Police Scotland cautioned and charged the group with culpable and reckless conduct and vandalism.
The incident led to them repeating a plea for information from anyone aware of youths causing problems in their areas to contact them on 101.
Even if those involved are not traced at the time, or if officers are unable to attend immediately, patterns of behaviour and regular offenders can be identified.
Police can the use the information obtained to take action at a later time.
