Cars and building destroyed by fire as manhunt launched to find arsonist

Police are hunting an arsonist in Edinburgh after cars and property were torched early this morning.

Detectives are investigating the incidents that happened in the Silverknowes area of the city between 4.55am and 5.55am.

Four vehicles on Silverknowes Eastway, Silverknowes Avenue and Cramond Road South were torched as well as part of a property on Main Street, Davidson's Mains and a post box on Silverknowes Road.

Bins were also set alight outside an Indian restaurant. (Alan Simpson Photography)

Fortunately nobody was injured in any of the incidents.

Each of the fires is being treated as deliberate and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

Locals have claimed there have been a spate of at least five fires in the last week including other vehicles and wheelie bins at a local Indian restaurant.

Detective Sergeant Dougal Begg of Edinburgh CID said: “Our enquiries into this series of incidents are ongoing and we are working to establish the full circumstances.

“We would urge anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity to come forward as soon as possible.

“In particular we would be keen to speak to anyone with dashcam footage or private CCTV in the area.

“If you have any information which help our investigation please call 101, quoting incident 0341 of 27 January, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”