The victim, who was still in a critical condition as the Post went to press yesterday (Tuesday), had made contact with West Dunbartonshire Council’s services shortly before she was found ablaze last Wednesday morning.

Joyce White, the council’s chief executive, has launched an internal investigation to find out all details about the woman contact with the council and insisted the matter is being treated with the “utmost importance”.

A West Dunbartonshire Council spokeswoman said: “We can confirm the injured woman had come into contact with council services in the hours before the incident. We are now working internally to establish the facts of this tragic incident.” The woman, believed to be in her 50s, is understood to have suffered serious burns after set herself alight at 9.55am while in the public waiting area of the police station.

Paramedics treated her in an ambulance in the car park while police prepared Montrose Street for the vehicle’s exit.

However, she was moved outside on to the car park area for treatment as her condition started to deteriorate before being taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary. She has been in a critical condition since.

Meanwhile Police Scotland say staff at the station who rushed to help the woman have been offered counselling following the traumatic incident.

Inspector Natalie Doherty, from Clydebank Police Office, told the Post it was civilian staff who work at the reception desk and police custody desks who were first on scene.

She said: “They have all been referred to counselling and are getting support from us and via the TRIM (Trauma Risk Incident Management) procedure, as well as occupational health.

“We have received lots of nice messages of support from councillors and members of the public and we want to thank everyone for that.” The day after the incident, Ms White sent a memo to councillors, confirming she was launching an investigation.

It stated: “I would like to update you on the council’s response to the tragic incident of the woman who set herself on fire at Clydebank Police Station on Wednesday, January 7.

“As details emerged on January 7, we learned that this individual had come into contact with council services in the hours before the incident. In light of this information, I launched an internal investigation into that contact, and any other dealings we may have had with the woman prior to January 7. I would like to reassure you that this matter is being treated with the utmost importance to ensure we can be confident about our services and their ability to keep our customers and clients safe and supported.”