LAST UPDATE | 19 May 2021
POLICE ARE TREATING a fire at the home of Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell as deliberate, with a man spotted on CCTV pouring accelerant on cars in the garage.
Firefighters were called to the blaze on Peel Road in Thorntonhall, South Lanarkshire, at around 1am on Wednesday which forced Mr Lawwell and his family to flee their home.
Celtic said the family are “extremely shaken and shocked” by the blaze, which caused “significant damage”, but they are all safe.
Celtic said in a statement: “We can confirm that significant damage has been caused to Peter Lawwell’s house and vehicles there, following an explosion and fire early this morning, forcing the family to leave the property.
“Clearly, Peter’s family are extremely shaken and shocked by these terrible events, but thankfully all are safe.
“Peter and his family will of course receive the full support and care of everyone at the club.”
Lawwell, 61, has been in charge of the day-to-day running at Celtic Park for the past 17 years but announced earlier this season he was stepping down at the end of a poor campaign, which saw the Hoops’ dreams of a 10th successive title crumble, following angry protests outside the stadium’s front door.
He is to be replaced by former Scottish Rugby Union director Dominic McKay on 1 July.
Eight fire engines were sent to the scene in Peel Road, Thorntonhall, when the alarm was raised. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said there were no reports of any casualties.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze – which affected cars and a house – but some remained at the scene at 7am and police road closures were still in place.
A joint investigation by Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has found three vehicles were deliberately set alight, which also resulted in extensive damage to the garage.
Detectives are treating the fire as deliberate after CCTV showed a man pouring an accelerant on the vehicles.
The male suspect is described as around 5ft 10in and of slim build. He was wearing black joggers, a black hooded jumper with the hood up, black trainers and a face mask.
A silver or grey hatchback car was also seen near the house at the time of the fire.
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