POLICE have appealed for witnesses after a deliberate fire set in the ground floor of a Clydebank high-rise last week.

Firefighters were called to Clyde Court, in Mountblow, on Thursday night after smoke was seen billowing from a ground floor window.

Five appliances rushed to the scene shortly after 9pm and needed a high-powered hose to put out the fire.

Two people were taken to hospital as a precaution, said the fire service.

A spokesman for Clydebank police said they were now treating the incident as wilful fireraising as a rubbish bag was set alight in the chute area. They appealed for witnesses to contact them on 101.

CCTV will be installed at the flats later this week.

The fire comes amid heightened public concerns from the Grenfell Tower tragedy that left 79 dead or missing and presumed dead.

Safety inspections have already been carried out across Scotland as well as letters and messages of reassurance from public officials and the fire service.

None of the 42 high flats across West Dunbartonshire or north-west Glasgow has the same cladding as Grenfell, which has been blamed for spreading the fire so quickly.

A spokesman for Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “At 9.02pm on Thursday, June 22, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to reports of a fire on the ground floor of Clyde Court flats, Clydebank.

“A total of five appliances were immediately mobilised and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used a high powered hose to extinguish the flames.

“Two casualties were taken to hospital, as a precaution, by the Scottish Ambulance Service.

“Firefighters thereafter worked to reassure residents in Clyde Court and left the scene after ensuring the area was made safe.”

The service said safety information for high rise flats is available from their website and offered their free home fire safety visit by calling 0800 0731 999, texting “FIRE” to 80800 or visiting www.firescotland.gov.uk.