Published: Wednesday, 28th July, 2010 12:15pm

Deliberate blaze destroys Tillicoultry home

by Jamie MacDonald

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A VICIOUS fire that destroyed two flats in Tillicoultry during the early hours of Saturday morning is being treated as deliberate.

Everyone escaped unhurt from the building on High Street but police are keen to speak to anyone with information on the blaze, which began in the first floor flat, or a robbery that took place in the same property hours earlier.

A street pastor is believed to have raised the alarm at 4.30am as he returned home from work.

No-one was in the flat where the fire began or the one upstairs that was also affected. However, an 84-year-old woman had to be helped from the ground floor flat which suffered extensive water damage due to a burst pipe. She is now being looked after at a care home.

Police are describing Saturday's blaze as "wilful fire raising'.

One neighbour, Lisa Coutts, said, "We had heard banging earlier. We were in bed when the guy coming back from his work came and woke everybody up.

"We would have slept right through it so we have a lot to be thankful for. It was a fright."

Helen Porter, another neighbour, said, "It was a nightmare. All we could do was sit and watch. It is terrible what has happened and there has been so many different stories going about what has happened.

"It is just as well the girl upstairs wasn't in. It has been shocking."

A joint investigation into the cause of the blaze is being carried out by the police and fire service.

Allegation

A police spokesperson told the Advertiser, "We are treating the fire as wilful fire raising. A short time before that an allegation of robbery at the property had been made.

"We are appealing for anyone with information on either incident to come forward."

Three fire appliances from Tillicoultry and Alloa responded to the blaze with a rescue tender from Alloa also required.

Firefighters had to use breathing apparatus and were at the scene until just before noon.

The gutted flat where the fire broke out is privately owned but a Clackmannanshire Council spokesperson did say they would help with the cleaning of the charred communal close and had provided assistance in re-homing the elderly lady.

Anyone with information can contact Central Scotland Police on 01786 456000 or information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.