Police probe suspicious fire

Jun 23 2011 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

MINDLESS vandals caused thousands of pounds worth of damage when they started a blaze at a West Lothian business.

The incident happened around 9.15pm on Monday at the C Plan Telecommunications compound at East Mains Industrial Estate in Broxburn.

Two youths were seen removing gas canisters from the premises and placing them against an electricity pylon before setting them alight.

The same people are believed to be responsible for the theft of cable from the compound and officers are keen to speak to anyone who can help trace them.

The total value for the damage caused is estimated to be between £10,000 and £20,000.

And Denis Boyle, commercial director of C Plan Telecommunications, said it was only by good luck that the vandals didn’t seriously injure someone or cause more damage.

He said: “The alarm was raised when one of our suppliers arrived to meet our transport manager and he spotted a fire which had been started on redundant fibreoptic cable in a skip.

“The people who did this had also set fire to new roles of cable, probably thinking it was copper.

“And then they took the gas canisters and set them on fire against the pylon.

“That could have been catastrophic for them or any other people nearby.”

A police spokesman urged witnesses to come forward.

He said: “Anyone with information that can help us trace the suspects should come forward.”

Witnesses should contact police on 0131 311 3131, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.