Police have launched a probe after a car was discovered torched on a Scots bridge mainly used by pedestrians and cyclists.
Emergency services raced to the Coltbridge Viaduct over the Water of Leith in Edinburgh after the alarm was raised at around 7pm on Monday. On arrival fire crews discovered a silver vehicle well alight.
Pictures taken from the scene, and shared with Edinburgh Live, showed the vehicle sitting burnt out on the road following the incident. Police tape could be seen wrapped around the shell of the motor.
Officers believe the fire was started deliberately and their enquiries are ongoing. Eyewitnesses in the area told of their shock as they watched the car go up in flames on the bridge across the Water of Leith.
Helen Rae, who lives nearby, said: "I was watching TV when I realised I could hear noises outside. From my windows I can see the bridge between the houses opposite and it was quite a blaze.
"There was quite a noise too. It seemed to be on top of the bridge - but there is nothing there but the bridge itself.
"I called the fire brigade then watched to see how long it took for them to arrive. There were several police cars in the area too."
The following day, on Tuesday, another vehicle fire was reported at the nearby Sauchiehall Industrial Estate at around 9pm. There is nothing to suggest that the two incidents are linked at this time.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 11.20pm on Monday, January 16, police were called to the Roseburn Path area of Edinburgh, following a report of a vehicle fire. The fire is believed to be suspicious and enquiries into the matter are ongoing.”
Of the incident on Tuesday, the spokesperson added: “Around 9pm on Tuesday, 17 January, 2023, police were called to the Sauchiebank area of Edinburgh, following a report of a car fire.
"The fire was extinguished and enquiries into the circumstances are ongoing.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: "Crews attended two vehicle fires one on Wester Coates at 7pm on Monday, January 16 and another in the Sauchiebank Industrial Estate at 9pm on Tuesday, January 17."
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