A spin-off Grand Designs show saw a Glasgow couple's temporary home being burned to the ground in a shocking turn of events during last night's episode.
With £170k to spend, animator Joanna Susskind-Whitney and carpenter Ben Whitney aimed to construct an "American ranch-style house in a gritty part of Glasgow" on Channel 4's Grand Designs: The Streets.
The couple were the first to take part in Scotland's premiere urban self build scheme after Glasgow City Council gave the series the go ahead to offer families the chance to improve their home life and city outlook.
After paying £50,000 for the land, the married couple had to figure out ways to save cash, including self-building the scaffolding, Glasgow Live reports.
During the episode, it was revealed that the couple lost all of their possessions after their temporary caravan home was burned down by local vandals while they were away from the project for one night.
The moment caught the attention of many viewers watching at home, including those from Glasgow.
One said: "My heart sank when their caravan was burnt to cinders. Such a gutsy couple taking on the challenge of building a wooden house in that area also. I pray it turns out well for them and their fellow neighbours on the street eventually but...."
A second tweeted: "Watching Grand Designs on Channel 4 up at Maryhill... when I start watching it I think "hmm they might have issues with neds".... two minutes in, yup!"
A third echoed: "Such a stupid place to build a solo unit, said before the caravan was torched, "that'll get burnt down" I know that area and I wouldn't leave a used condom laying about, it'd be stolen!"
Another agreed: "Is anyone watching Grand Designs, seeing a wooden barn being constructed in "a gritty area of Glasgow" (Channel 4's words - It's Maryhill) and thinking "You are literally building a fire for youths to set alight".
"*Adds ‘neds burned my caravan down’ to Grand Designs bingo card*," a fourth joked.
They persevered, though, and ended up with a home that host Kevin McCloud summed up as "epic".
With a heavy emphasis on natural wood, the finished home successfully captures the "American ranch-style" vibe the couple were aiming for.
The new program from Grand Designs "captures the spirit of community engendered by these impressive self-build streets, as the determination, resilience and ambition of the builders shines through, to create something extraordinary".
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