Police believe couple’s business was torched

Dec 13 2011 Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

A BLAZE that destroyed a large outhouse in Alyth and potentially ravaged a small business was most probably arson.

Early indications of a joint Tayside Police and Tayside Fire and Rescue probe into a fire at an Airlie Street address on Saturday night, where firefighters spent almost three hours, point to criminal activity.

Yesterday, a Tayside Police spokesman confirmed it appeared that the 4x4 metre wooden outbuilding, used by the householders as an office, had been deliberately set alight.

“Early indications are that this was deliberate, and we are obviously keen to hear from anyone who may have any information that could assist with what is now likely to be a criminal investigation,” he said.

Devastated co-director of the nine-year-old company, Peter Henderson, yesterday told the PA that the blaze had destroyed office furniture, two computers, data, paperwork and more.

“I’m hoping I can turn it around but a lot of that will depend on how much I can salvage,” he said.

On Saturday night, Mr Henderson and his wife, co-director Elaine, had been watching television at home when a main fuse blew.

“All of a sudden the TV went off and the room went black,” he said.

“I could hear the office alarm so I went out to have a look and then I saw the flames – I was absolutely gutted.”

Thanking fire fighters and police investigators for their efforts, he said although the building was still standing, nothing inside had survived the intense heat.

“Everything’s gone, including all the computers and the data, although we should be able to salvage most of the data,” he said.

“Our printer is dripping down the side of a burnt desk on which a melted monitor now sits.”

While he declined to comment on a possible motive for arson, Mr Henderson said his wife’s car was deliberately splashed with paint stripper last October, causing £2500 worth of damage.

“And police are now treating the destruction of the office building as willful fire raising,” he said.

“I’m astounded that anyone could stoop this low to commit such a cowardly act.

“For something like to happen in a small country town is unbelievable, it’s not as if I have a heap of enemies.”

A Tayside Fire and Rescue spokesman confirmed two appliances and 12 crew – from Alyth and Blairgowrie – had been deployed at the scene after Mr Henderson’s 11.26pm call.

“Firefighters used two hose reels to extinguish the fire and there was also a gas cylinder inside the shed, but these have a cut-off valve so they won’t explode,” he declared.

“The Blairgowrie crew left at 12.15am and the Alyth crew were there until 3.15am, and a joint investigation into the incident has been instigated by the police.”

lIf you can assist investigators, contact Tayside Police on 0300 111 2222 or pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.