Couple’s car blaze anguish

James Wood, 24, and pregnant girlfriend Bethany Grieve, 20, had popped out to the local service station in Johnstonebridge for food to help satisfy Bethany’s pregnancy cravings. And they were gobsmacked when they returned to their home near Johnstonebridge to find their silver Citroen C4 car, bought only a few weeks ago, in flames on Saturday night at around 8.30 pm. Emergency services were called immediately by a neighbour, but the couple were unable to do any more than stand back and watch their expensive family car burn beyond repair. James said: “When I first saw the car I was speechless. “It wasn’t cheap and the whole situation seemed surreal. “My first thought was how am I going to get another car sorted before our baby arrives on March 1?”

He added: “The incident has been extremely stressful for myself and Bethany.” Luckily, family have stepped in to offer use of their car in the lead up to Bethany giving birth but the couple are devastated and shocked as to how anyone could be so cruel. And hopes of buying a new family car anytime soon seem bleak. Taking little comfort in the fact his car is insured, James said: “It is insured butIput the excess up too much so it’s very doubtful that I will get much if anything from the insurance.” James and Bethany desperately hope the culprit or culprits can be caught soon.

Meanwhile, Police Scotland have branded the fire suspicious and are seeking witnesses to the incident which occurred outside Springwells, Johnstonebridge. Constable Stephen Glendinning at Lockerbie said: “The owner of the car was away from home when the fire started. On returning home he discovered his car well ablaze. “Thankfully no-one was injured as a result of this fire, which we are presently treating as suspicious.” He added: “We are carrying out door to door enquiries in the area and would like to hear from anyone who may have been in the area of Springwells on Saturday evening if they saw anything suspicious. Police at Lockerbie can be contacted through 101.”