Fire thought to have destroyed elderly Maddiston couple's garage, car and wheelchair

An eyewitness to the blaze, which took hold in two garages in Oronsay Avenue in Maddiston last night, told The Falkirk Herald that firefighters “suspect” it was an act of wilful fire-raising.

As well as the damage to the garages, a car also went up in flames.

It is claimed a wheelchair used by the elderly man’s wife was inside the vehicle at the time.

Steven Derry, who captured footage of the fire, said: “A lovely old gentleman’s garage was set ablaze at around 11.30pm last night. Fire crews arrived and put the fire out.

“They suspect that it’s been arson and as a result the old fellow’s car and garage is no more.

“You couldn't meet a nicer man and wife. His wife’s wheelchair was in the car and is now lost to the flames along with some expensive tools.

“I have set up a GoFundMe page to help him with the cost of a new wheelchair for his wife and to replace a pushbike and maybe some tools.”

Click here to donate to the GoFundMe page.

The cause of the blaze has yet to be established.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 11.43pm on Wednesday, August 12 to reports of two garages on fire in Maddiston.

“Operations Control mobilised two appliances to Oronsay Avenue, where crews were met by both garages well alight.

“Firefighters extinguished the fire and worked to make the area safe before leaving the scene.

“There were no casualties.”

Message from the editor

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you