A MYSTERIOUS blaze that destroyed a wooden pigeon loft in Tillicoultry has left others fearing for the safety of their birds.

Emergency services were alerted to the fire at Chapelle Crescent early on Tuesday, January 29.

The fire was extinguished and the area made safe – with no birds injured as the loft itself was empty.

However, others who keep and breed pigeons in the area – known as pigeon fanciers – are now worried a blaze could break out at their lofts next.

Paul Hamilton, a pigeon fancier at the site, told the Advertiser: "I have got 50 pigeons along at my loft fifty yards away, but I'm lucky it didn't spread so there was no harm done to any pigeons."

When asked what he thinks could have caused the blaze, Paul said: "It looks like vandalism to me.

"Young ones have been coming down and smashing windows in the hut that you sit in."

He added that a fellow pigeon fancier who also keeps birds in the area was in tears after the fire, fearing the incident could have been deliberate.

A fire service spokesperson said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted at 5.04am on Tuesday, January 29, to reports of a fire in a wooden pigeon loft in Tillicoultry.

“Operations Control mobilised one fire engine to Chapelle Crescent where firefighters extinguished the fire.

“Crews left the scene after ensuring the area was made safe.”

Police Scotland have since confirmed they are not currently investigating the incident.

A spokesperson told the Advertiser said: "We were made aware of the incident this morning by the fire service; however, we weren't requested to attend."