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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Paul T Smith

Scots foodbank trailers torched in deliberate blaze as cops hunt firebugs

A major police probe has been launched after two trailers belonging to a Falkirk foodbank were set alight.

The deliberate blaze broke out near Murnin Road in Bonnybridge at around 9:15pm last night, Monday May 30.

Volunteers at Roots Foodbank say they are "devastated" by what has happened and have launched an appeal for information in a bid to catch the sick yobs responsible.

One of the trailers was used during the festive season for taking Santa and his helpers around the streets of Banknock, Bonnybridge and Denny.

In a statement on Facebook Roots HHS Foodbank said: "Sadly our Roots foodbank team were called out tonight after being alerted to a fire in The Mutley Crew's yard, leased by Elaine Johnston on the canal bank, Bonnybridge.

The thrown sat on by Santa has been badly damaged (Supplied)

"We would like to appeal to the public who may have seen anything Monday 30th May around the time of 9:15pm onwards to come forward contacting the police calling 101. Any little detail you may have saw may be key to the case.

"Elaine had kindly allowed us to store our Christmas trailer and a second trailer we were in the process of building.

"Unfortunately our much loved trailer we took around the Banknock, Bonnybridge and Denny communities last year for free is looking beyond repair as well as Santa's throne and our second trailer is now no more. So many in the communities our foodbank serve this will affect.

Firefighters at the scene last night (Supplied)

"However, the worst thing we witnessed as a team tonight was a broken woman.

"Elaine who is well known in the community is distraught at the amount of damage to her property as she would do anything for anyone. And as she says to our team "I would give someone my last." Her livelihood has now gone.

"Let's help restore her faith in humanity and help as a community. Again we ask anyone who knows anything, please come forward.

"Many thanks to the police and fire crews for their prompt response and kindness to both our foodbank team and Elaine."

Police Scotland have launched a probe into the blaze, which they are treating as deliberate.

A spokesperson for the force said: "We were made aware of a fire at an industrial unit off Murnin Road in Bonnybridge around 9.30pm on Monday, 30 May.

"The fire was extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and nobody was injured.

"The fire is being treated as deliberate and enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information can call 101, quoting reference 3651 of 31 May."

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