Re-appeal following wilful fire-raising in Strathaven

Detectives continue to appeal for information following a wilful fire-raising in Strathaven on Saturday, 19 June.

Emergency services were called to a report of two cars and a house on fire in Fortrose Gardens, Strathaven, around 12.20am. Following a joint investigation between the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland, it was established that the two cars had been deliberately set on fire using an accelerant, resulting in the house also catching fire.

Officers have been carrying out extensive CCTV enquiries and have issued a description of the male suspect believed to be involved. He is described as slim build and was wearing a dark beanie hat, jogging top with two stripes down both shoulders and the hood up, jogging bottoms with two stripes down each leg, a high-vis reflective jacket and a rucksack. He was also wearing a face mask.

Detective Chief Inspector Martin McGhee said: "The male suspect is believed to have approached the property on foot via Hamilton Road, poured an accelerant onto the vehicles and left via Hamilton Road towards the town centre.

"We believe he may have sustained burn injuries to his arms, body and face as a result of using the accelerant and would ask anyone who has any knowledge of a man who may have suffered from burn injuries in suspicious circumstances since the weekend to please come forward.

"I continue to appeal to anyone who has CCTV or dash-cam footage of the area at around midnight on Saturday, 19 June, to please check back and see if there is any footage that could assist our investigation. Information can be passed to officers by phoning 101 and quoting reference number 0090 of 19 June. Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."