A wood pile in a Dundee timber yard was apparently set on fire deliberately by someone using petrol to accelerate the flames.
Police are hunting for the culprit who they say wilfully started a blaze at the Direct Line Timber yard on Liff Road on Wednesday evening.
The site is less than half a mile away from the scene of a major fire in Lochee on Monday evening. Police revealed on Thursday night that three teenage boys have been charged over this blaze.
The quick actions of firefighters meant damage from the flames was kept to a minimum, who were able to bring the fire under control by 10pm.
Officers are hoping for people with information to come forward, particularly if they approached smelling of petrol or a similar chemical which may have been used to start the fire.
It is the second possible deliberately set blaze to occur in Dundee over a period of 48 hours, after Old Lochee Parish Church was suspected to have been wilfully set alight on Monday.
Police released a statement on Thursday night about this incident saying: “Police Scotland can confirm that three teenage boys have been charged in connection with a fire that happened at the Old Lochee Parish Church.”
It went on: “The four boys, aged 13, 14 and 15 will be reported to the Youth Justice Assessor.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “The dangers of starting fires in a timber yard cannot be overstated, and after the recent fire at the Old Lochee Parish Church, the damage that can be caused is readily apparent to everyone.
“If you saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area of Liff Road, if anyone you know may have smelled of petrol or similar chemicals last night, or if you have any information at all that could assist enquiries, please call 101 or speak to any Police officer.
“Alternatively, information can be given anonymously through CrimeStoppers on 0300 555 111. Our reference is CR/23381/17.”
There is no suggestion, according to police, that Wednesday’s timber yard fire and the kirk blaze are connected, with both incidents being investigated separately.
