FIRE-RAISERS who set nearly 30 blazes in seven days have been blasted by "strained" emergency services.

Last Monday to Sunday, May 15, a total of 29 suspected malicious fires were set in Clydebank and areas surrounding it.

Incidents ranged from pules of rubbish being set alight, bin fires, grass fires, out of control bonfires and woodland infernos.

Station commander David McCaughey told the Post he "could not stress" how dangerous the acts carried out are to the public.

He said: “The hot weather we experienced last week incited a number of malicious fire raising incidents in the Clydebank area, particularly on the evening of Monday, May 9.

"I cannot stress enough how irresponsible and dangerous these actions are. Deliberate fire-setting is a crime and even the smallest fires can quickly spread to nearby homes and have much more serious consequences.

"They are a strain on Scottish Fire and Rescue Service resources and can delay our firefighters from reaching other emergencies, where lives could be at risk."

It is not understood why the sudden spike of fire-raising has come about in the area but hot weather has been suggested.

Post reader Ann Conroy told how her daughter had to evacuate babies from Alexander Street after a heap of garbage was set on fire on Saturday, May 14.

She told of wreathing flames up the side of the building along with explosions from old oil barrels used by a nearby takeaway dumped at the rubbish site.

And in last week's Clydebank Post we reported how a car was destroyed after a nearby bin fire behind Clyde Shopping Centre spread to it.

Fire services and police alike have said the unpredictable fires in hot weather and spread to homes and potentially end in people being being killed.

The details of the incidents are as follows:

Monday, May 9: There were eight incidents across the area but the Post has not been able to get a specific breakdown.

Tuesday, May 10: fire in Auchnacraig Woods; scrubland fire at Craigs Avenue, Hardgate; field fire at Scavaig Crescent, Drumchapel; and grass fires in both Burnhaven and Portessie in Erskine.

Wednesday, May 11: grass fire in Cochno Road, Duntocher; grass fire at Knowes View, Faifley; bushes on fire at Antonine Road, Drumchapel; trees set on fire at Kilpatrick Primary, Mountblow; woodland fire in Auchincraig Woods, Faifley; trees under Erskine Bridge, Old Kilpatrick.

Thursday, May 12: two separate grass fires at Cochno Road, Hardgate; bonfire at Mossgiel Drive, Kilbowie; woodland fire in Auchincraig Woods, Faifley.

Friday, May 13: hillside set alight at Cochno Road, Hardgate and waste ground fire at Mossgiel Drive, Kilbowie.

Saturday, May 14: bin fire at Heathcot Place, Drumchapel and furniture set alight outside Alexander Place, central Clydebank.

Sunday, May 15: bushes set on fire in Gentle Row, Duntocher and Bargarran Road, Erskine.

Commander McCaughey added: “I would urge everyone in the Clydebank area to be aware of where the children and young people they look after are and what they’re doing. Anyone with information on these fires should contact Police Scotland via the non-emergency number 101 or give information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Police inspector David Quinn condemned the acts and said they are working with the fire service.

He told the Post: "The potential for a fire to cause serious damage to property and persons should never be underestimated — we treat all wilful fire raising very seriously."