Rail worker accused of fire-raising

Published on Friday 27 November 2009 21:39

A RAIL worker who cheated death in a level-crossing crash was yesterday accused of torching his firm's offices.

Graeme Macmillan, 45, escaped death when his car was struck by a train at a level-crossing in the Highlands two years ago.

And when three people died in a similar crash in Caithness two months ago, he campaigned for safety barriers to be installed at crossings throughout the country.

Yesterday, Macmillan appeared in private at Inverness Sheriff Court facing three charges of wilful fire-raising at the EWS Railway Depot in the city.

Firefighters were called to the depot in the city's Longman Drive on 28 October and 20 people were evacuated from the scene.

Macmillan, of Bunchrew, Inverness, appeared from custody before Sheriff Margaret Neilson.

Depute fiscal Ron Phillips said after the case that he had made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody.

Macmillan is accused of wilfully setting fire to an office at EWS Railway Depot, which caused fire and smoke damage.

The father of three was also charged with wilfully setting fire to two Portakabins at the depot, which also caused fire and smoke damage.