FORENSIC experts have been called in to investigate a blaze that destroyed seven buses at a Greenock transport firm’s depot.

A crime scene manager is working alongside experts from Police Scotland and the fire service to establish the exact cause of the blaze at the  Wilson’s Buses depot on Baker Street around 1am yesterday.

The burnt out buses-could be seen from outside the yard yesterday, while a police officer stood guard at the entrance to the depot.

Detective Inspector David Wagstaff of Greenock CID told the Tele: “Whilst we are still to identify the cause of the fire, it is being treated as a potential wilful fire.

“A joint investigation is being carried out by a crime scene manager and a number of forensic experts in liaison with the fire service to establish the cause of the fire.”

It was a member of the public who alerted the fire brigade, and three fire engines rushed to the scene and firefighters spent about an hour tackling the flames.

DI Wagstaff added: “A passing member of the public saw that there was a fire within Wilson’s Buses yard and contacted the fire brigade.

“I would appeal to anyone who was in the area around the time of the incident and saw or heard anything suspicious to get in touch.

“I would also ask any drivers who passed by the bus depot between midnight and 1am to check their dash cam footage in case they have captured any images of the incident.”

Detectives are also scouring CCTV footage from inside the yard and the surrounding area.

A spokesman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We received a 999 call shortly before 1am on Thursday reporting a fire in open ground on Baker Street in Greenock.

“We immediately scrambled three appliances and crews reached the scene in four minutes.

“Firefighters discovered a number of buses were involved in a fire and extinguished the flames using high-pressure jets.

“Our crews left the scene shortly after 2am leaving the police in attendance.”

Anyone with information can contact officers at Greenock CID on 101 or phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
No comment was available from Wilson’s Buses.