A deliberate fire has put a north-east bookmaker’s shop out of action for two weeks.
The early morning outbreak at Fraserburgh’s Coral premises on Gallowhill Road is being investigated by police.
A waste bucket was deliberately set alight at 2.45am. The fire then spread into the store and the neighbouring Fish n Things chip shop, causing damage to both properties before firefighters brought it under control.
Extensive damage was caused to the betting shop which will be closed while repairs are carried out.
A spokesman for parent company Coral Eurobet, said: “As a result of a bin being set alight outside the shop at approximately 2.45am, there was extensive damage to the shop both externally and internally.
“It will be closed for up to a fortnight while repairs are carried out.”
Four fire appliances were sent to the scene from Fraserburgh and Peterhead after being alerted at 3.15am.
A fire and rescue service spokeswoman said: “We had one hose reel jet and two breathing apparatus in use. The fire was under control at 4.05am, but we were there until about 5.25am.”
The neighbouring chipper suffered minor exterior damage but was able to reopen later yesterday.
Owner Caroline Bruce said it was thanks to fire-proof paint on the outside of the building that her business was saved.
She said: “We have been really, really lucky here as it could have been a lot worse.
“The bookies is a mess, but we just had some scorching to the walls and the signs were damaged as well as some smoke.
“We got clearance from the police and were able to open up again later in the day.”
A police spokeswoman said last night: “The fire at Fraserburgh is being treated as wilful fireraising and inquiries are ongoing.
“Anyone with information relating to this incident is requested to contact us on 101 or the Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111.”
The outbreak is the latest in a string of deliberate fires in the Broch in recent months.
Last March caravans at a holiday park on Fraserburgh’s esplanade were targeted twice within days. Two vans were targeted on March 5 causing thousands of pounds of damage and another static caravan was torched three days later.
Earlier in the year 100 people had to be evacuated from Fraserburgh’s Leisure Centre when a fire broke out in a ground-floor toilet.