Thugs caused £50,000 worth of damage and left thousands without mobile phone signal after a 4G phone mast was set alight in Ayrshire.
Fire crews raced to tackle the blaze at Fulshaw Wood Farm, near Ayr, at around 11.10pm on Thursday, April 9.
One eyewitness described the scene as an ‘ inferno ’ as firefighters rushed to put out the flames at the 4G phone mast.
It is understood that conspiracy theorists, who believe that 5G technology is to blame for the coronavirus pandemic, are responsible for the incident.
The theory has been repeatedly rubbished by politicians and health officials.
Police have launched a re-appeal for information as part of a probe into the blaze, which caused around £50,000 worth of damage.
Thousands of people across Ayrshire were left without phone signal as a result.
No one was injured in the blaze.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have branded the incident as “unacceptable” particularly during the coronavirus pandemic.
Group Commander Kenny Hankinson said: “Deliberate fire-setting is a dangerous and unacceptable act at any time but particularly when emergency services are working together to protect communities during the present pandemic.
"Those who set fires need to understand what they see as a spontaneous act can have devastating costs and consequences.
"Setting a fire can endanger human life, homes, businesses and areas of nature.
"It also has the potential to divert firefighters away from genuine emergencies where lives may be at risk.
"We know it's a very small minority of people who behave in such a way and we will continue to work in close partnership with our police partners to prevent such incidents wherever possible."
Police Scotland Chief Inspector Brian Anderson, Area Commander for South Ayrshire said: “We are appealing to members of the public who may have any information relating to this deliberate fire to come forward”.
“There are no 5G phone masts in Ayrshire at this time and it is important to point out that the consequences for those who engage in such activity could be very unsafe for them and others in the community.”
A spokesperson for Police Scotland added: “Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 3972 of April 9, 2020, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
