Police hunting firestarter after petrol blaze at Mill O’Mains flats

Police are hunting a man after a petrol-fuelled blaze at a Dundee block of flats.

Emergency services attended the tenement at Hebrides Drive, Mill O’Mains, on Tuesday morning to find a smouldering fuel can outside.

Terrified residents told how their hallway was filled with smoke and a strong smell of petrol.

One resident said: “A man was shouting and banging at the door of the close about 3am, so I called the police. Then, at about 4.30am, I heard scraping at the door and I started to smell petrol, so I phoned them again.

“I’ve got a new baby, so I ran outside because the smell of petrol was really bad but the police told me to stay inside for our safety.”

Police were called at about 3am to the address.

A Tayside Police spokesman said inquiries were ongoing to try to trace a male believed to be responsible.

He said: “An unknown person was trying to set fire to a rear door. Tayside Fire and Rescue attended and the fire was extinguished.

“There was an accelerant used and a petrol can was found nearby which was smouldering. Inquiries are ongoing and we are appealing for witnesses.”