Firefighters attend two deliberate blazes in Dundee

Firefighters say two deliberate blazes in Dundee today could've had tragic consequences. Three children and an adult were checked for smoke inhalation after the second of the emergencies in Court Street early this morning. Firefighters used a ladder to rescue three people from first floor flats during the incident, with four others led to safety once the fire had been extinguished and toxic smoke cleared from the close. Group Manager Martin Tait, the lead officer in Dundee, said: “We are extremely lucky that no-one was seriously injured. “Deliberate fires are incredibly dangerous and everyone needs to understand that these incidents could have resulted in absolutely devastating consequences, including the tragic loss of life.” He continued: “Those responsible for starting fires have no idea how they will develop or who will be affected – they are endangering lives and need to ask if they could live with themselves if someone was killed because of their actions. “Even a small fire involving rubbish can rapidly spread and the smoke produced will very quickly travel throughout a building. “It blocks the escape route, leaves people trapped in their homes, causes significant damage to property and can be an absolutely terrifying experience even if serious injury is avoided.” Firefighters were first sent to Court Street around 1:45am and they arrived to find two wheelie-bins and a roll of carpet on fire at the front entrance to the close. Crews were again sent to the building when a fire within the bin recess saw an emergency call made shortly before 4:30am. Specialist officers from the SFRS Fire Investigation Unit are liaising with police counterparts to establish the circumstances surrounding the fires and help identify those responsible for setting them. Anyone with information regarding deliberate fires is urged to contact Police Scotland by calling 101 or share it anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 55 111.

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