Police in hunt for fireraisers after site blaze

Published on Wednesday 19 November 2008 09:28

FIRERAISERS are being hunted over the blaze which destroyed an Oxgangs building site as the cost of the damage was put at £5 million.

Police confirmed today they were now treating the fire as suspicious and launched an appeal for witnesses.

More than 40 firefighters took more than eight hours to tackle the fire on Firrhill Drive in the early hours of Friday morning.

The flats, which were under construction as part of the second phase of a housing association development, were later demolished.

A team investigating the site said they may never know what caused it, but police have now been led to believe it was started on purpose in the absence of evidence showing accidental cause.

A spokesman said today: "Not only has this fire caused millions of pounds worth of damage, it has also caused distress to a number of families who were looking forward to moving into these homes in the future.

"We are appealing to the public for help in establishing what caused this fire, and in particular we are keen to speak to any witnesses who noticed any suspicious activity in the area either before or after the fire broke out.

"It may be that someone noticed someone running from the scene, or acting suspiciously in the aftermath of the fire.

"Any information would be gratefully received, and may lead us to a positive line of inquiry which would eventually provide some comfort to the families affected by this dangerous and thoughtless act."

It is impossible to put an exact figure on the damage caused until the extent of it is worked out, but it is believed the bill could come in at around 5m.

Two five-storey blocks – which dozens of people were preparing to move into early next year – were destroyed.

The Dunedin Canmore Housing Association, which is overseeing the development, is still counting the cost.

Fire investigators and health and safety officials were unable to find any cause for the fire in the wreckage, leading them to the conclusion that the blaze must have been started deliberately.

The fire was similar to one which destroyed a block of flats under construction at Hawkhill Close, next to Easter Road Stadium, in April.

RECENT FIRES IN AREA

July 16: Two fires set within an hour and a half of each other in unoccupied properties at Oxgangs Crescent. There were also another three minor fires, including two garden sheds set alight, in the same week.

&#149 July 21: The former Hunter's Tryst Primary School gutted by an arson attack.

&#149 August 30/31: Garden benches, planters and bird boxes made by unemployed people as part of a back-to-work scheme in Oxgangs torched.

&#149 September 3: Workshop for back-to-work scheme at Colinton Park bothy set alight.

&#149 November 14: 5 million damage to construction site at Firrhill Drive.