A Dundee councillor has expressed his fears for public safety, after a caravan, abandoned by Travellers was razed by fire.
West End councillor Richard McCready implored the Travelling community to take responsibility for their property and not to leave caravans, rubbish or anything else behind when they move on.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service responded to reports of a caravan on fire in Luna Place, within the Technology Park in the Invergowrie area of Dundee, shortly after 10pm on Thursday night.
Firefighters and a pump and the aerial rescue platform from MacAlpine Road in Dundee found the caravan ablaze.
They used one hose reel jet to extinguish the fire within 25 minutes and remained at the scene for a while to dampen the area down.
Their inquiries into the cause of the fire continue.
Mr McCready said: “Anything that is set on fire is clearly dangerous and the matter needs to be dealt with.
“At the very least, there is the potential to put firefighters at risk. But when something requires the attendance of firefighters, it is apparent that there is also a risk to members of the public from anything that is on fire.”
Mr McCready highlighted that his fellow councillor, John Alexander, the housing convener, is now working on new proposals in relation to the city’s strategic approach to Travellers.
The convener admitted the current system is “broken”, following recent encampments in Dundee, which provoked public anger and concern over their size, location and the amount of rubbish left behind.
He said: “The fundamental point is that we are all responsible for our rubbish.
“It is wrong for a caravan to be abandoned. It is wrong for waste material and rubbish to be abandoned. People should take responsibility for those things.
“This fire should not have happened and I urge anyone who knows how it came about to come forward.”