A pub which is used as the headquarters of a Republic flute band has been targeted four times by firebugs in the past year before being gutted in the latest blaze, neighbours have said.
Fire crews have tackled multiple blazes at the Tall Cranes Bar in Govan, Glasgow, which describes itself as the home of the James Connolly Republican Flute Band.
The was set ablaze in the early hours of Wednesday morning – the most recent attack.
Buildings near to the pub were evacuated as firefighters tackled the fire.
No one was injured in the incident but the pub has now been forced to closer for at least six months for repairs with staff members losing their jobs during the refurbishment process.
Worried locals have told how this is the fourth time that fire crews have been called to pub since the start of the year.
The third incident took place just after midnight on Tuesday, October 8 – the night before Wednesday’s latest attack.
One local, who watched the most recent fire unfold, told the Record that the spate of attacks are frightening the area’s residents.
She said: “It is worrying for people that live close to that pub, especially with the number of times that the fire service have been called out to it recently.”
The Tall Cranes bar describes itself as the “number one Celtic bar in Govan” and is the home of the Govan Emerald Celtic Supporters’ Club.
The pub is also used as the HQ of the James Connolly Republican Flute Band which organised an Irish Unity march in Govan in August.
Violence flared during the event after a large number of loyalists took to the streets to demonstrate against the march with riot police being deployed in a bid to contain the trouble.
The owner of the Tall Cranes refused to comment on the fires.
A statement on the bar’s Facebook page said: “The pub was extensively damaged by an arsonist attack on Tuesday. The pub was shut at the time so thankfully no one was injured.
“However, the residents of nearby properties were forced to leave their homes due to the threat of explosions coming from gas bottles/kegs in the pub.
“The result is the pub will be closed for approximately six months to a year resulting in all members of staff losing their jobs.”
Detective Inspector Peter Sharp, of Govan CID, said on Wednesday: “We have a dedicated team of officers working to establish the full circumstances of the fire, which we believe was started deliberately.”
