Fire service warning over three blazes in bin stores

A SERIES of bin fires which police believe may have been set deliberately have sparked Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service to warn residents to be vigilant.

There have been three incidents in the Craigshill area of Livingston in the last two weeks involving common stair bin stores, and the fire and rescue service are concerned the incidents may put residents at risk.

Group Manager for West Lothian, Stuart Stevens said: "We would like to remind residents to be alert, as it is a possibility that someone is deliberately setting these fires.

"One of the incidents in particular happened at 5am on a Sunday morning and could have had much more serious consequences had the fire not been discovered early and dealt with quickly by our firefighters."

Inspector Stephen Elliot, from the Community Safety Unit, said: "Deliberate fire raising is a criminal offence, and we will pursue and deal robustly with anyone who is involved in this kind of activity.

"Fire can cause a great deal of damage to a community – in terms of both finances and morale, but most importantly it puts the lives of those who set them, and those who are battling them, in danger."