A Perth museum’s replica World War One trench was “almost destroyed” in a fire with “disgraceful and mindless” vandalism being blamed.
Flames emanating from the frontline duplicate on the Black Watch Castle and Museum grounds were reported just after 6pm on Tuesday.
Perth City South ward councillor Andy Chan, among the first on the scene, attempted to put the blaze out to no avail.
No injuries were reported and Balhousie Castle was not damaged.
The structure had only been repaired recently after it was previously damaged by vandals and will likely need rebuilt.
Authorities have not confirmed if the fire was deliberate, despite Cllr Chan seeing potential perpetrators fleeing the area.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 6.18pm on Tuesday, April 4 to reports of a fire in the open in Perth.
“Operations Control mobilised one fire appliance to the city’s Hay Street, where firefighters discovered a fire which had taken hold of an outdoor structure.
“Crews extinguished the fire and worked to make the area safe before leaving the scene.
“There were no casualties.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are aware of the matter and looking into it.”
Anne Kinnes, chief executive of the Black Watch Castle and Museum, said: “There was a fire in one of the replica WWI trenches.
“The fire has left the trench almost destroyed. Nobody was injured and the castle itself sustained no damage.
“We’re grateful to the member of the public who raised the alarm.”
Conservative representative Andy Chan witnessed the blaze having spotted smoke from a nearby car park.
He said: “Every week we have an outdoor fitness group at Bell’s Sports Centre car park.
“My running mate and I saw the fire and we tried to put it out and it was well gone by that time.
“I believe it was just built or refurbished recently. It is terrible this has happened.
“I saw two young people were running away when we arrived.
“Some people are saying youths are regularly hanging around the car park.
“There are cameras and CCTV in the car park so police will investigate that I would think.
“It is devastating for the museum.”
Perth City Centre ward councillor and armed forces and veterans champion, Bailie Chris Ahern, called it a “disgraceful and mindless” act of vandalism.
“The First World War trench was enjoyed by lots of young people wanting to see how they fought and lived during the war,” he added.
“It was an important part of the grounds that did attract people to the location and also let them see round the Balhousie Castle museum.
“The exhibit had only just been repaired following a previous act of vandalism and now at more cost will have to be rebuilt.
“This is a big loss to the museum as it was an exhibit that did attract the younger generation, who like to be able to see and touch what it was like to be in a trench.
“This is also a blow to veterans who see how people treat exhibits like this that try to portray the hardships of war.
“What drives people to destroy other people’s property for no reason whatsoever?
“There is no respect for other people’s property or exhibits like this that other people want to go and enjoy.
“These people will probably get away with what they have done as we have a police force that is stretched to its limits trying to keep us all safe.
“I hope those that did this think about what they have done.
“I hope they think about the cost to the Black Watch Museum of rebuilding the trench exhibit at a time where money is tight for museums.”
