POLICE are probing a 2am fire attack on a building site which saw new homes under construction engulfed by flames.

Fire crews rushed to the scene on Port Glasgow's Campsie Road, near to Slaemuir Avenue, in the early hours of yesterday.

The houses are being constructed by Cruden Building in partnership with River Clyde Homes as part of a £12m regeneration project and this is the second fire at the site following a previous blaze back back in May.

Detective Constable Robert Holland of Greenock CID said: "Two three-bedroom semi-detached houses have been damaged - they were fully finished on the exterior and only had the interior to be completed.

"We are treating the incident as suspected wilful fire-raising and are working to establish if this incident is connected to the one in May."

Thankfully there were no casualties as a result of the late night incident.

But residents living next to the site say they are shocked to see a second fire.

One householder, who lives across the street, said: "We got such a fright when we heard the fire engines and could see all the smoke.

"So many children live across from it and would have also seen it going up, it was terrifying."

Cruden Building and River Clyde Homes say they are working with police on the probe.

A spokesperson for Cruden said: "The police and fire services attended the Slaemuir construction site in the early hours of Tuesday.

"A full investigation is under way and we are working with the authorities to assist with this enquiry."

Jonathan Grant, head of customer services at River Clyde Homes, added: "We can confirm a fire at the new build development on Campsie Road, Port Glasgow.

"Police Scotland is investigating the matter."

A Scottish Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 2.23am on September 7 to reports of a fire affecting a property at Campsie Road, Port Glasgow.

“Operations Control mobilised three appliances and firefighters extinguished a fire affecting an unoccupied two-storey building.

“There were no reported casualties and crews left after ensuring the area was made safe.”

Detectives say they are looking for anyone with CCTV or video footage of the scene and forensic examinations have been carried out.

DC Holland added: "Door-to-door enquiries are ongoing, however we ask that anyone with CCTV, dashcam footage or Ring doorbell footage comes forward.

"If anyone also noticed anyone acting suspicious in the area around 2am then we would like to hear from them."

Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call Greenock police on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.