Police launch murder bid probe after Blantyre house fire

May 6 2010 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

DETECTIVES were this week treating a horror fire at a family home as attempted murder.

Neighbours hailed three teenage boys as heroes after they help to save the lives of two women and a man trapped in the blaze at 13 Elm Street, Blantyre, on Sunday at 11.30pm.

The quick-thinking trio risked their lives by fighting the raging fire with buckets of water.

Terrified neighbours told how they ran for their lives after seeing huge flames at the door of the top-floor, mid-terraced property.

Neighbour Anne Hawkins (41) said: “It’s scary to think someone started this deliberately.

“It could have been much worse and someone could have been killed.

“A teenage boy who lives downstairs and his pals ran up with buckets of water to put the fire out.

“I think the three boys risked their own lives to do so.

“Their quick thinking helped to save the family’s lives.”

Anxious neighbours dialled 999 to raise the alarm.

Two fire engines raced to the scene and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus ran into the burning house to rescue the three adults inside.

One local said the woman in her 40s, known as Andrea, and her three children had only recently moved into the area.

Two woman – believed to be Andrea and her grown-up daughter - and a man were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.

Fortunately, they didn’t require further hospital treatment.

Locals fear the fire may have been started after a petrol bomb had been pushed through the house’s letter box.

Police and the Fire Service have launched a investigation.

They have refused to say what exactly caused the fire.

The flat’s entrance has been so severely damaged by the fire that its occupants have been temporarily rehoused.

The flat’s front door has been boarded up following the incident.

Mum-of-two Anne Hawkins, who lives across the landing from the fire-damaged flat, added: “My daughter heard the smoke alarm from the house. She noticed that their door was on fire.

“I stood at my front door to let my kids out so that we could escape the fire.

“We ran downstairs and when we got outside I phoned the fire service.

“I didn’t think there were people in the house until I looked up and saw a light shining. I began shouting up at them to get out.

“I told the fire service that there were people inside the house. They were on the scene within minutes and got the family out.”

Another neighbour, a dad, said: “We heard that someone put something through the couple’s letter box.

“They were a quiet couple who had only moved into the house about five months ago.

“They had previously lived in the Cambuslang/Halfway area.

“I found out about the blaze when I came home from my work and saw the Fire Brigade’s yellow tape outside the close.”

Police probing the blaze have appealed for witnesses.

Detective Inspector David Tassie, of Hamilton CID, said: “It’s fortunate that no-one was seriously injured.

“The tenants have been put into temporary accommodation after they had to leave their home.

“It is imperative we trace whoever is responsible for this attack.

“I would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious at the time to contact us immediately.”

Witnesses should contact Hamilton CID on 483327, or alternatively telephone Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, where calls are free and anonymity can be maintained.