Police investigating 'deliberate' fire at Greenock flats

Police are investigating a deliberate fire set at a block of flats in Greenock.

They were called to Kincaid Court at 10.25pm on Monday September 28.

Officers believe an accelerant, such as petrol, was used to light it.

The flats were evacuated, and no-one was injured.

It is thought the fire may be linked to other similar incidents in Greenock recently.

Police say an electric blue coloured vehicle, possibly a BMW, was spotted in the area when the fire broke out.

It was first seen around 9.50pm on Ratho Street, before entering Oakfield Terrace and turning into Kincaid Court.

The vehicle was seen to loiter in Kincaid Court for a few minutes before two men got out and ran towards the block of flats before returning to the car.

The same vehicle left Kincaird Court a short time later, turning left onto Oakfield Terrace travelling towards Ratho Street and again turning left and travelling towards East Hamilton Street.

Around ten minutes later, the electric blue coloured vehicle was seen travelling back down Ratho Street onto Oakfield Terrace and into Kincaid Court and three men were seen to get out and run towards the block of flats.

Minutes later all three ran back to the vehicle and it drove away travelling along Oakfield Terrace, left on Ratho Street and towards East Hamilton Street.

Detective Superintendent Gerry McBride said: “This is yet another despicable and reckless act of wilful fireraising in our community, and whether linked to previous incidents or not, I would like to reiterate that this behaviour will not be tolerated.

“Thankfully, nobody was within the property when it was set alight, and residents in neighbouring flats were evacuated and did not come to harm.

"However, this was a targeted attack which could have resulted in serious injury and we will do everything in our power to find those responsible.

“I am pleading to those in the community who might have information to please come forward and tell us what you know. We are also keen to talk to anyone who may have seen the electric blue coloured vehicle described in the area between 9.50pm and 10.20pm to let us know anything you saw.

“We would also like anyone who might have private CCTV or dashcam footage of either the fireraising or the blue vehicle to check and contact police as soon as possible with anything relevant to our enquiries.”

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