Locals call for urgent action as firebugs turn city lane into 'car graveyard'

The latest incident, which happened earlier this week, saw a silver Kia torched in Buccleuch lane in Garnethill.

As previously reported by the Evening Times, another car exploded yards from local's back gardens just days before Christmas last year.

Startled residents filmed the scene from balconies just yards from the burning vehicle, and have warned someone could be seriously injured if the incident is repeated.

Locals say the cars block vital access for emergency vehicles. and have urged the council to take action.

Council signage shows motorists are not supposed to use the lane for parking, but activists in Garnethill say the rules are being flouted and it is creating a health hazard.

Bill Beckett, local resident and former community councillor, said: "Again we face this dangerous situation of cars set on fire.

"This is now the third time in about 18 months this has happened in the same place.

"Someone sooner or later is going to be seriously injured or killed.

"I've spoken to the city council about previous incidents and pleaded to do something but they replied the ground is bad so we can't arrange for yellow lines to be put in place.

"It was stated by the council that the residents/ owners of nearby properties should pay for ground repair.

"This has gone on too long - something has to be done."

Garnethill community councillor Ian Khan said: "It has been brought to the attention of Glasgow city council on a few occasions of cars set on fire in the lane and something has to be done to stop vehicles parking there.

"It's now getting out of hand."

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "We received the first of several 999 calls reporting a fire at Buccleuch Lane around 3:55am on Wednesday morning.

“A crew was immediately sent from Cowcaddens Fire Station and they arrived less than three minutes later to find a car was well alight.

“Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire using a single high pressure jet and our crew left the scene shortly before 4:25am.”

The local authority has also confirmed it has spoken to residents and the community council previously about the lane.

A spokeswoman added: "The council has advised a number of residents and previous members of the Community Council about the issues in Buccleuch Lane over many years, but unfortunately the owners of the lane have yet to improve the road surface.

"Until this is done the council cannot apply road markings and enforce the restrictions."