Bonfire thugs torch derelict Tannahill estate as councillor calls for fireworks ban

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A Renfrewshire councillor is calling for a ban on fireworks after yet another blaze in the Tannahill area. Fire crews raced to Tannahill Terrace around 9pm on Bonfire Night after reports two derelict properties had been set alight.

Images and videos circulating online show the former homes – earmarked for demolition – completely ablaze with smoke bellowing into the night sky. The latest fire comes after three properties on Tannahill Road were set alight on Sunday evening.

Councillor Kenny MacLaren has now called for a ban on fireworks and has repeated calls he made at the start of the week for people with information on the culprits to come forward.

Councillor MacLaren told the Paisley Daily Express: “I was contacted by local residents from the area last night who were obviously concerned about the fires and the use of fireworks in that area.

“I think the council has to take a serious look at whether we can ban fireworks sales across the county.

“The council recently introduced a policy on firework control zones but the focus was on local communities coming forward to identify which areas to prohibit the use of fireworks.

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“I think we should change it to ban all fireworks across the whole of Renfrewshire with exceptions only made for areas where organised displays are happening, and only then if there is proper security and safety procedures in place.”

One local resident who lives near the estate, said: “Firefighters and the emergency services had enough to deal with last night than deal with this type of idiotic, life-threatening behaviour.

“This behaviour threatens people’s lives that live nearby, but also everyone further afield because every second the fire crews are here putting out deliberate fires on derelict estates, they could be elsewhere helping to save a life that is in danger. It is selfish and must be stopped.”

The demolition site – which includes Drums Avenue, Ferguslie Park Avenue, Tannahill Road and Tannahill Terrace – has been ravaged by fire and fly-tipping for years.

Contractor Caskie has been charged with razing the estate to the ground and has erected fencing and upped security of the site since embarking on the project in July.

Councillor MacLaren added: “The continual fire raising in the Tannahill area is delaying the demolition of these properties and I would repeat that anyone who knows who is doing this should report it to the police. I would hope that anyone caught setting these fires face the harshest punishment possible.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 9.25pm on Tuesday, November, 5, we were called to a report of derelict buildings set on fire on Tannahill Road, Paisley.

“There were no reports of anyone injured and the fire was extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. We are working with our partner agencies in relation to recent fires at these derelict buildings.”

A spokesperson for Renfrewshire Council said: “‘We continue to support our demolition contractor to increase security measures on site and are working with Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service following the recent fire-raising incidents in Tannahill.

“Anyone who sees anything suspicious should report it to Police Scotland by calling 101 or 999 if it’s an emergency.”

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