London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

Motherwell homes set alight by stray rocket firework

Motherwell homes set alight by stray rocket firework

Two homes in Motherwell were set alight after being hit by fireworks.

Emergency crews were called to the two-storey properties in the town's Corrie Drive just before 20:00 on Thursday.

Local reports suggested a stray rocket had landed on the roof and the two properties caught fire. It is understood two families were affected.

The attacks were among several incidents across the country which Police Scotland branded "disgraceful and deplorable".

Emergency crews were attacked while properties and vehicles were also targeted.

The fire in Motherwell was not being treated as deliberate and there were no reports of anyone being injured.


The fire in Motherwell's Corrie Drive is not being treated as deliberate


Two families have had to leave their homes after extensive damage to the properties


The local community has begun collecting for the families involved.

A relative of one of the house owners told the BBC: "They are absolutely devastated and lost everything. At this point they are just trying to rebuild their lives."

In Greenock, bottles and fireworks were thrown when police were called to a gathering of about 200 youths.

Officers also attended several incidents in Edinburgh and Glasgow.


Attacking firefighters 'reprehensible'


The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said it received nearly 1,200 calls from the public on Thursday night, with 12 incidents of crews being attacked or having missiles thrown at them.

At her daily media briefing, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was an "extremely difficult night" for the emergency services.

She added: "Anybody who was involved in any of these incidents should be deeply ashamed of themselves.

"There is no excuse, any time, anywhere, in any circumstances, to attack emergency workers and attacking firefighters on bonfire night is particularly reprehensible. I condemn that behaviour."


The fire service received more than 30 calls after 40 square metres of gorse were set alight on Arthur's Seat


Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs said it is "disgraceful and deplorable" that officers were attacked in the course of their duties.

"I am disappointed at the level of disorder and anti-social behaviour seen last night," he said.

"A minority of people's behaviour has once again put lives at risk.

"It also places intense pressure on the emergency services and impacts severely on local communities."

He also vowed that Operation Moonbeam would continue to target the culprits, mostly young people, who were behind the disorder.

Assistant Chief Constable Mairs added: "To be absolutely clear, such actions are dangerous and cause harm to the public and emergency service workers.

"We will not tolerate such acts and you may not have been arrested last night but rest assured, officers are carrying out follow-up investigations to identify those involved and responsible."


Riot gear


In Greenock, riot police were called to an illegal bonfire party in Auchmead Road, Larkfield, at about 20:00.

About 200 people were involved in the disturbance where bottles and fireworks were thrown at police officers.

Photos posted on social media showed police in riot gear breaking up the gathering, which was not allowed due to current Covid regulations.

A force spokeswoman said there were no reports of injuries but a number of police vehicles were damaged.



A 15-year old boy was arrested and charged and will be the subject of a report to the procurator fiscal.

During the incident, a local priest at a nearby church was told by police to stay indoors for his own safety.

St Andrew's Church posted a message on Facebook which said: "Hundreds have gathered for fireworks and are using the church wall as a public toilet.

"Fr Danny has tried to keep them out but has just been advised by the police, for his own safety, to stay inside."

Scottish Fire and Rescue said no firefighters were hurt in the incident.

It was one of 1,193 calls which control room staff took between 15:30 and 23:30 on Thursday and one of 500 bonfire-related call-outs.

The service said there were 12 reported attacks on crews, however no injuries have been reported.


Gorse fire


In Edinburgh, the service said it had received 32 calls reporting a blaze on Arthur's Seat just before midnight.

Three appliances were sent to the scene where about 40sq m of gorse were on fire.

Fire crews said they handed the incident over to park rangers in the early hours and left the scene, with no reports of any casualties.

In the city's Hay Avenue officers had fireworks and bricks thrown at them by a large group of youths. A police vehicle was also damaged in the incident.

Separately, a 16-year-old youth was arrested in Pennywell Place following reports of anti-social behaviour.

Meanwhile in Glasgow, officers came under attack in Dale Street by youths launching fireworks at them.

In Glenisla Street, a policeman was struck on the head with a firework and treated at the scene before continuing his shift.

And in Kendoon Avenue a man was arrested after a police car windscreen was smashed as officers responded to reports of a vehicle fire.


A stray firework landed on the roof of the homes in Corrie Drive in Motherwell


Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×