Three people were rescued from a flat blaze and a school building was damaged in double fire drama in Mastrick, and police haven’t ruled out that the incidents could be linked.
Fire crews were called to the flat fire in North Anderson Drive, Aberdeen at around 11pm last night. The fire started inside a pram.
Firefighters used breathing apparatus to get through thick smoke and reach the fire, which began on a third-floor landing. They rescued three residents and four people required medical help at the scene.
One window on the third floor was smashed as part of the block was evacuated.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “We received a call at 11.01pm and the incident was over at 11.31pm. All crews left the scene by 12.20am.”
Just hours later, crews were also called out to a fire at Muirfield Primary School in Mastrick Drive at 5.25am.
Flames could be seen around the back of the building apparently coming from a bin.
The fire was extinguished by 5.45am. Part of the building was damaged by the blaze, but no further details were available.
DC Chris Wilson, who is leading the investigation, said: “Thankfully all the residents who were in the building at the time were evacuated quickly and no one was hurt, however this is a situation which had the potential to be much worse.
“We are treating this as a deliberate fire and I would appeal to anyone with information, or anyone who may have been in the area at the time and saw any unusual behaviour, to please get in touch so that we can trace the person – or people – responsible. Behaviour of such a reckless and dangerous manner will not be tolerated.
DC Wilson added: “Inquiries are ongoing to establish the exact circumstances surrounding each incident, however we can’t rule out that they may be linked given how close the locations are to each other. Once again, I would appeal to anyone with information to get in touch.”
“Anyone with information can contact Police on 101 quoting reference number 4069 of August 16, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 if you would prefer to remain anonymous.”