Bridge blaze was ‘mindless’

FOUR people who are believed to have set fire to a Lincluden bridge have been branded as “mindless”.

Police officers are appealing for information after a bridge structure and a clothing recycling bin were set alight within Popeye’s Park on Sunday evening at around 10.30 pm, causing thousands of pounds of damage.

Lincluden Community Centre released a statement about the incident in which they said that their CCTV caught the foursome setting fire to the bin – which was to raise money for community events. They say two others then set fire to a wheelie bin on the bridge and then watched “their handy work” before fleeing the scene.

Police and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were called to the scene and the blaze was extinguished.

A community centre spokesman said: “Absolute devastation. There is no way this can be repaired. Only a few feet of one access point and one point of the anchor left.

“The bridge was shaped as an anchor as a way of keeping the nickname for the park alive.

“Over 20 years of seeking funding gone in seconds, why? Mindless act of arson. If you know anything please contact the police.”

Meanwhile, police constable Ryan Cochrane said: “Thankfully there were no reports of any injures, however, the consequences could have been much more serious.

“This fire has caused extensive damage. Four people were seen near the fire, and we are appealing to anyone who may have information on their identity, or any details that may assist our investigation to contact us on 101 quoting incident number 3654 of 10 August.

“Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”