Edinburgh police have launched an investigation after two cars were torched and left abandoned in a residential area just days apart.
The first incident took place on Monday, January 16 on the Roseburn Path near the Water of Leith Viaduct and saw a silver vehicle set alight.
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Another car fire was reported the following day on Tuesday, January 17 at the nearby Sauchiehall Industrial Estate. Hero firefighters rushed to put out both infernos and police are now probing the incidents but it is not yet known if they are linked.
Eyewitnesses in the area described their shock as the car went up in furious flames on a bridge across the Water of Leith on Monday night.
Resident, Helen Rae told Edinburgh Live: "I was watching to last night when I realised I could hear noises outside. From my windows, I can see the bridge between the houses opposite and it was quite a blaze.
"There was quite a noise too. It seemed to be on top of the bridge - but there is nothing there but the bridge itself"
She continued: "I called the fire brigade then watched to see how long it took for them to arrive - and if they would find it from my description. I told them best to approach from Wester Coates as I thought they could get a vehicle in from there.
There were several Police cars in the area - think they too were looking for the location. Eventually, the firemen approached on foot from the Wester Coates direction.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 11.20pm on Monday, 16 January, 2023, police were called to the Roseburn Path area of Edinburgh, following a report of a vehicle fire.
"The fire is believed to be suspicious and enquiries into the matter are ongoing.”
They added: "Around 9pm on Tuesday, 17 January, 2023, police were called to the Sauchiebank area of Edinburgh, following a report of a car fire.
"The fire was extinguished and enquiries into the circumstances are ongoing.”
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A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire Service said: "Crews attended two vehicle fires one on Wester Coates at 19.00 on Monday, January 16 and another in the Sauchiebank Industrial Estate at 21.00 on Tuesday, January 17.
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