Residents had a lucky escape when mindless firebugs set a bin shed ablaze beneath a block of flats while they slept.
Horrified families were awoken by the smell of smoke and the sound of sirens as fire crews raced to the scene on Telford Road in the early hours of Saturday morning to tackle the blaze.
No one was injured but Lanarkshire Live understands the situation could have been a lot worse if a passer-by hadn’t spotted the flames and alerted the emergency services.
Our pictures show extensive smoke damage to the building.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman told us : “We were alerted at 2.20am on Saturday, December 4, to reports of a fire affecting a bin shed in Telford Road, East Kilbride.
“Operations control immediately mobilised two fire engines to the location and firefighters extinguished the fire.
“Crews left the scene after ensuring the area was made safe.”
One resident said: "I am the next block, everything in my cellar is ruined and whole building is stinking of smoke, the place is a mess. Disgusting behaviour."
Another woman said: "My daughter's building, if it wasn’t for her husband’s pal passing and calling fire brigade the two buildings would of been worse. Telford Road is getting worse."
A Police Scotland spokesman confirmed they are aware of a "deliberate fire" in the communal bin area at Telford Road, confirming that the fire was extinguished and no one was injured, with their enquiries "ongoing”.
Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101. Information can also be left anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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