The manager of an Erskine animal rescue farm told how she was 'devastated' when a cabin on the site was set on fire.
Emergency services rushed to Lamont Farm in the early hours to extinguish the blaze, which officers later said was deliberate.
At the time the fire broke out, voluntary manager of the organisation Yvonne Elliot was on site to ensure the animals were safe after rabbits had chewed through the CCTV system.
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She told Glasgow Live: "I went to sleep upstairs and woke up at 3.45am and heard one of the horses. When I opened the main building the first thing I was met with was thick smoke billowing out from the cabin.
"We are really lucky that there were no animals or people in it but it is literally feet away from a stable. Horses work in fight or flight so they were really spooked.
"They still are a bit spooked."
The cabin was extensively damaged - both by the blaze itself and the water required to extinguish it.
Currently, Lamont Farm are unsure how much money is needed for repairs and have stated that they are hopeful that the farm will reopen tomorrow.
Yvonne said: "We've been around for 46 years and we hope to be around for a lot longer.
"But we don't know how much this will cost. The cabin will need to be taken away and repaired but currently that acts as a reminder that someone has targeted the farm.
"Its been confirmed to us that it was petrol poured through the window and someone ignited that, which is heartbreaking.
"We are devastated that someone would target these animals."
As well as being the lunch area for volunteers, the cabin was also where all of the animals' medication was stored, with some vital equipment including horse first aid kits being damaged by the inferno.
Lamont Farm is the only city farm left in the country and continues to attract visitors. Yvonne has been left gobsmacked by the support shown by members of the public.
The voluntary manager said: "We have been blown away by the support of the public.
"We never expected people to get behind us so quickly. It has brought many of us to tears the support.
"It's good to know that we mean a lot to people."
Detective Constable Robert Urquhart, Paisley CID, said: “Thankfully, none of the animals were injured as a result of this but it was noise from their distress that alerted staff to the fire.
“Officers are currently checking local CCTV and checking with neighbouring properties but would appeal to anyone who may have seen or heard something suspicious in the early hours of Friday morning to come forward.
“Any information can be passed to officers at Paisley via 101. Please quote reference number 0401 of Friday, 31 March 2023, when calling. Alternatively, details can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
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