Tag: arson

Police appeal for information after Community Garden shed set ablaze

Detective are appealing for information following a fire in the Wester Hailes area in the early hours of Monday morning.

Around 2.50am on Monday (12 September, 2022) officers received reports of a shed on fire at the Murrayburn and Hailesland Community Garden.

The fire is being treated as suspicious and no-one was injured, however, an estimated £13,000 worth of damage has been caused.

Detective Sergeant Alan Sharp, of Costorphine CID, said: “Thankfully no-one was injured as a result of the fire.

“This fire caused a great deal of damage to the shed and its contents, although it is fortunate it didn’t spread further and cause even more destruction.

“Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and we are appealing for anyone with information or saw any suspicious activity in the area to please come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident 0948 of 12 September. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.

A spokesperson for Murrayburn and Hailsland Community Garden said: “Appreciate the support from everyone last night. 🙏 Sorry to say we lost our children’s natural play shed which was set light to, and play materials and a load of new tools that Tesco had just donated to the garden.

“It’s a blow for all the young folk who helped build the shed in the first instance. A punch to the guts.

“We’ll put things right and use this as an opportunity to improve on what was already there. Onwards!”

Another weekend, another deliberate fire in Drylaw

There’s been another deliberate fire in North Edinburgh – for the third successive weekend.

This time, a garden shed in Easter Drylaw Drive was set ablaze in the early hours of this morning. Police, fire and ambulance services were on the scene from 1.30am and the road was temporarily closed while the fire was tackled.

It’s the third weekend in a row that there have been wilful fireraising incidents in the North Edinburgh community – and all have taken place in the early hours of the morning.

Last week’s meeting of Drylaw Telford Community Council discussed the arson incidents that took place on 18 September and the group issued an appeal on their Facebook page:

‘These fires were devastating to those affected and we are extremely lucky that more people were not injured. The “what if’s” do not bear thinking about.

‘The unusually dry weather for September that we have had recently would make any fire spread faster therefore It is so important that the perpetrators are caught and for this not to happen again.

‘The police have been talking to residents that have CCTV but we would urge anyone with CCTV, ring doorbell camera’s etc who have not yet been contacted to please contact:

  1. The Police on 101 quoting incident number 0765 of the 18th
    September 2021.
  2. Anonomously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
  3. Message this page and we can forward information

‘Likewise, if anyone has any information at all, then please make contact using the above methods.’

Investigations are ongoing.

Police seek information following night fires in Drylaw and Pilton

Police have launched an investigation into a series of fires which took place across Drylaw and Pilton in the early hours of this morning.

The six separate incidents were reported between approximately 2.30am and 4.30am at properties on a number of streets: Wester Drylaw Avenue, Wester Drylaw Drive, Crewe Road North, Groathill Loan and Groathill Road North.

The fires are all being treated as suspicious. Whilst there were no serious injuries reported, a number of people were treated at the scene and one person was taken to hospital.

Detective Inspector Jonny Wright, from Gayfield CID, said: “It is fortunate that these fires were discovered and extinguished when they were, and that we are not investigating a far more serious and tragic set of circumstances.

“Enquiries into each of these incidents are ongoing and we are appealing for anyone with information, or who may have seen any suspicious activity on these streets, to please come forward.

“We will be increasing our patrols in the area and engaging with the local community, to provide reassurance as we work to identify those responsible.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident 0675 of 18 September. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”

Earth in Common launches fundraiser following arson attack

Environmental action charity Earth in Common (formerly Leith Community Crops in Pots) have launched an online fundraising campaign following an arson attack on the project.

Earth in Common’s premises were subject to a ‘devastating’ arson attack on Saturday evening.

They explained: “Fortunately no one was hurt, however as a small charity with the community at the heart of what we do this is devastating. The cost to our infrastructure, recycling facilties is over £2000 and the valuable time and effort put in by our staff/ volunteers is unmeasurable.”

Earth in Common have been overwhelmed by messages of support and have now set up a fundraising campaign on the Justgiving platform.

If you would like to make a monetary contribution please go to: 

https://bit.ly/EICJUSTGIVE 

The Earth in Common team are also organising a Clear Up Day this Saturday (18th September) from 10am-4pm – check out their website for latest information.

Silverknowes fires: man charged

A 30-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a series of fire raising incidents in North Edinburgh.

He has been charged in connection with a number of fires in the Silverknowes area in the early hours of Wednesday, 27 January and he is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court later today (Thursday, 28 January).

Police appeal following deliberate fires in Silverknowes & D Mains

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information following a series of fires in Silverknowes and Davidson’s Mains early this morning

A number of incidents were reported to Police Scotland in the area between 4.55am and 5.55am.

These included four vehicles on Silverknowes Eastway, Silverknowes Avenue and Cramond Road South as well as within a property of Main Street, Davidson’s Mains and a post box on Silverknowes Road.

Nobody was injured in any of the incidents. Each of the fires is being treated as deliberate and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

Detective Sergeant Dougal Begg of Edinburgh CID said: “Our enquiries into this series of incidents are ongoing and we are working to establish the full circumstances.

“We would urge anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity to come forward as soon as possible.

“In particular we would be keen to speak to anyone with dashcam footage or private CCTV in the area.

“If you have any information which help our investigation please call 101, quoting incident 0341 of 27 January, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Wester Hailes incidents: two youths charged

Police have confirmed that two 16-year-old male youths have been charged in connection with wilful fire-raising in the Wester Hailes area.

They were both charged with a fire on Murrayburn Drive that was reported around 8pm on Friday, 13 March.

A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal and they will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court tomorrow (Monday, 16 March).

Enquiries are ongoing into the fire on Calder Crescent and officers are following positive lines of enquiry in relation to the instances of assault.

Anyone who was in the area at the time of the incidents and who may have any information should contact police on 101, quoting incident number 3544 of 13 March.

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information following a series of assaults and wilful fires in the Wester Hailes area. The incidents occurred between 7pm and 9pm on Friday evening (13 March, 2020). 

Around 7.30pm a 30-year-old man was assaulted on the Union Canal path but sustained no injuries. The second assault also occurred on the Union Canal path around 8.30pm – a 37-year-old woman was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

Officers also received report of a fire at Wester Hailes Education Centre on Murrayburn Drive around 8pm and a second fire was reported at Bridge 8 Hub and Paddle Cafe on Calder Crescent around 8.25pm. No-one was injured as a result of the fires but there has been catastrophic damage.

Police believe the incidents are linked and are following positive lines of enquiry.

Officers are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time of the incidents and who may have any information to contact them on 101 quoting incident number 3544 of 13 March.

CCTV appeal following Easter Road fire raising

Police have released CCTV images as part of ongoing inquiries into a wilful fire raising in the Leith area. 

The incident happened between approximately 2am and 2.30am on Wednesday, 4 December 2019, at Easter Road. The fire was quickly extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and nobody was injured as a result.

Officers are looking to speak to the man shown in the images as they believe that he may have some information to assist their investigation.

He is described as a white, aged in his teens to mid-20s and with a slight build. He is shown in the images wearing a dark-coloured hooded rain jacket, tight grey-coloured jeans and dark coloured NIKE trainers.

Constable Fergus Kelly, from Leith Police Station, said: “The fire was set close to houses and cars in residential areas and it is fortunate that it was quickly put out and that no one was injured.

“As part of our inquiries we are eager to speak to the man pictured and would ask anyone who can help us identify and trace him to get in touch with officers as soon as possible.

“Equally anyone with any other information that can help our investigation should come forward.”

Those with information should contact Police Scotland via 101 and quote incident number 0240 of 4 December 2019. Alternatively a report can be given to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

“Unacceptable”: 128 deliberate fires in Edinburgh in just two months

Firefighters were called to tackle more than 1,800 deliberate fires across Scotland in the space of just two months, latest figures reveal. Continue reading “Unacceptable”: 128 deliberate fires in Edinburgh in just two months