A Scots mum was left terrified after a van was set ablaze and 'exploded' on a viaduct near her home.
Sarah Grossman says two vehicles have been torched on Coltbridge Viaduct in the past three months, sending sparks and debris flying over the bridge in the direction of neighbouring homes.
Police are probing the latest incident on Monday, April 10, and say the fire is being treated as wilful, with enquiries into the incident ongoing.
Mum-of-two Sarah has told of her fears that a gas tank could explode and cause a major blaze if another vehicle is driven onto the viaduct and torched.
The 37-year-old, who lives on Coltbridge Avenue, Roseburn, told Edinburgh Live: "I had put the kids to bed and all of a sudden there was a huge bang.
"The car was left on the viaduct and it looks like it was driven from Roseburn onto the bridge which is the second time it has happened in the last three months. The first occasion was in January which was awful but we put it down to idiot behaviour at New Year time.
"We're now worried and can't look away any more. Where I live is nothing compared to the houses which are closer.
"Those who live in the house directly below are terrified their car or house is going to catch fire because when the gas tank explodes, debris falls down from the bridge and there are a lot of fire hazards down there."
Sarah says the flames are also getting dangerously close to trees overlooking the Water of Leith - home to countless species of wildlife. There is also a nursery and primary school near to the where the wilful fires have taken place.
Shocking images taken on Monday night show the extent of the blaze as huge orange flames can be seen near the family home, with Sarah's kids, aged eight and 15, left terrified.
A photograph taken the following morning shows the remains of a burnt-out van on the viaduct, surrounded by a pile of rubble and debris with police tape wrapped around the shell.
Sarah, who works in performance marketing, added: "You're just lying asleep at night then you hear a bang and when you look out the window the whole sky goes red and orange, it's pretty terrifying for little children.
"We are all wondering why they're doing this. If you were trying to get rid of evidence you'd drive as far away as possible, not the middle of a bridge, we just don't get it."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 10.30pm on Monday, 10 April, 2023, police were called to a report of a car fire at the viaduct near Coltbridge Avenue, Edinburgh.
"The fire is being treated as wilful and enquiries into the matter are ongoing.”
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were approached for comment.
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