FRIGHTENED residents thought they heard “bombs going off” when thugs torched a car dealership, causing around £100,000 worth of damage.
The deliberate blaze erupted out at Braidwood Motor Company’s yard on Drumshoreland Road in Pumpherston, West Lothian.
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Fire crews raced to the scene around 11.55pm on Saturday after the alarm was raised.
Six vehicles, including a Range Rover and a van, were destroyed in the late night incident, leading to around £100k worth of damage.
Locals were left stunned when they looked outside to see flames engulfing the dealership lot and dark smoke billowing out.
Speaking to The Scottish Sun, one resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “I thought I heard the gates opening but I wasn’t sure. Then we could see a glow coming through the window.
“It was like explosions with bombs going off. I think it took around an hour for the fire to be put out.
“They made us move our cars just in case. It was a really big fire.
“It was scary. Nothing like that has happened around here before.”
Another local said: “I was in bed. I heard explosions and somebody came to my door.
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“We had to get up. The place was well alight by that time.
“It could’ve been anything. The good thing is nobody was hurt.
“But it’s lucky it was just the cars that got it. Imagine if it went into the building, the fumes are highly toxic.”
A third resident added: “It’s pretty worrying. We’ve lived here for years and not seen anything like it.
“The whole place was on fire. There was lots of smoke as well.
“I think a lot of people might have been in bed at the time. But it’s frightening how close it was to the houses.”
Fortunately, nobody was injured during the incident.
Detectives are investigating as cops are treating it as wilful fire raising.
Police have called on any witnesses or those with information to get in contact.
Officers are also interested in speaking to those who have CCTV or dash-cam footage.
Detective constable Lynn Myles, of Livingston Police Station, said: “This incident resulted in damage of vehicles worth around £100,000 and it’s vital we trace those responsible.
“I’d urge anyone with information about what happened to come forward.
“Perhaps you were in the Drumshoreland Road area at the time and saw something suspicious? Do you have private CCTV or dashcam footage which may have captured something of significance?
“Anyone who thinks they have information which could assist with our enquiries is asked to please get in touch.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 11.36pm on Saturday, 4 May to reports of vehicles on fire at a premises in Pumpherston, West Lothian.
“Operations Control mobilised three appliances to the town’s Drumshoreland Road, where firefighters extinguished a fire which had taken hold of a number of cars.
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“Crews left the scene after working to make the area safe. There were no casualties.”
Braidwood Motor Company declined to comment.
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