Police investigate suspicious blaze
Kirsty Gibbins • Published 26 Jul 2012 09:30
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RESIDENTS were roused from their beds when a suspicious fire broke out a property in Haddington during the early hours of this morning.
Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses following the blaze at the first floor of a property on Herdmanflatt, at around 3.25am .
No one was in the property, owned by East Lothian Council, at the time and it's believed the fire originated in a bedroom of the flat.
A number of nearby residents left their homes to watch as firefighters tackled the blaze.
Two appliances from Haddington Fire Station were called to the two-storey building at about 3.30am.
Crews battled the blaze using four breathing apparatuses and two high pressure hoses, remaining on the scene until around 5.36am.
Lothian and Borders Police are now working with colleagues from Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service to establish the cause of the fire.
A police spokesman said: "Fortunately the house was empty when the fire started, as it seems the flames took hold quickly and there could have been a far more devastating outcome.
"This fire is being treated as suspicious, however, and we are appealing for anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious last night to contact us on 0131 311 3131."
An East Lothian Council spokeswoman confirmed that officers from the local authority's property maintenance department were inspecting the damage this morning.
Anyone with any information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.
This article appeared in East Lothian Courier 26 Jul 12
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