Innerleithen's early morning evacuation

David O'Leary • Published 19 Jul 2011 09:30 2 Comments

RESIDENTS in a quiet Innerleithen street had to be evacuated in the early hours of Sunday morning after a caravan was torched.

The Montgomery Street blaze completely destroyed the caravan and caused damage to several cars parked nearby.

Fire crews feared the flames would cause an explosion and cleared neighbours from their homes.

It is believed the fire was started deliberately - and detectives are appealing for help to track down the culprit.

A police spokesman told the Peeblesshire News: "Following initial inquiries by the fire service we now believe this to be a case of wilful fireraising and are investigating it as such.

"We would urge anyone with information about this incident or the persons who committed this offence to come forward."

Fire crews were rushed to the scene at 4.30am following a 999 call.

They couldn't prevent the caravan from being completely destroyed but they did stop the flames spreading to nearby vehicles and properties.

Former Innerleithen Community Council chairman Ross McGinn, who lives nearby, said: "I watched it from a few hundred yards down the road, it's amazing how quickly the caravan was reduced from a secure structure to just a pile of ash.

"If this was a malicious act then it's pretty sad that someone would stoop so low as to carry this out in the dead of night."

The caravan, which belongs to Christopher Wilson, was valued at several thousand pounds.

And the repair bill for several nearby cars will also run into the hundreds.

Nobody was injured in the early morning incident - but police are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 15 Jul 11

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  Friend of the town
  Unregistered User
  Jul 23, 21:46
  Report comment

  Innerleithen used to be a quiet wee town what has happened to it - seems yobbish behaviour has taken over
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 1

• 

  sunshine
  Unregistered User
  Jul 30, 10:59
  Report comment

  Children could of been hurt or worse.This is the work of a COWARD.
  
  Or an insurance job.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 1     No 0

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