A 10-YEAR-OLD boy has been charged after a van was deliberately set on fire in Tullibody at the weekend.

The fire service received a call on Sunday evening with reports of a van ablaze on Knowefaulds Road.

Crews raced to the scene and battled the flames that took hold and engulfed the white transit.

After extinguishing the fire, firefighters then handed the case over to colleagues at Police Scotland after suspecting foul play.

A criminal investigation was subsequently launched with officers beginning their inquiries in the community.

The Advertiser can now confirm that a youngster has been charged with starting the terrifying blaze.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: "A 10-year-old boy has been charged after a van was set alight in Knowsfauld Road, Tullibody on Sunday 20th May.

"A report will be sent to the Children's Reporter."

The van itself, which belongs to a roofing company, was almost completely destroyed by the blaze and is largely unrecognisable.

A spokesman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted at 20.58 on Sunday, May 20 to reports of a vehicle on fire on Knowefaulds Road, Tullibody.

“Operations Control immediately mobilised one fire engine to the scene and firefighters extinguished the flames.

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

Last weekend's incident is not the first time Tullibody has had to deal with the impact of young people setting fires.

Indeed, it comes almost a year to the day since a girl was charged with setting the playground alight at Glenview Cottage Nursery.

Her actions costs hundreds of pounds worth of damage and was described at the time as having 'potentially-disastrous' consequences had fire crews not been on the scene so quick.

She was later trace by police and the matter was referred to the Children's Reporter.