DELIBERATE FIRE-RAISING, EDINBURGH
18/02/10
Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information after a deliberate fire-raising at a police forensic science laboratory in the early hours of this morning (Thursday).
Local residents reported loud bangs coming from the SPSA laboratory in Howdenhall Road at around 00.20am, at the same time that the fire alarm was activated at the premises.
A male figure was thereafter seen running from the scene and into St Katherine's Brae, where he entered a small dark coloured car being driven by another male. The vehicle then sped off in an unknown direction.
The suspect who was seen running from the scene is described as being around 5ft 6ins tall, thin build, and wearing a dark top (possibly hooded) and a dark mask.
Following the incident, the fire brigade attended and extinguished two fires that had been set within offices on the ground floor of the building.
Senior Forensic Services staff have been on site since 2am, and a team of key personnel from the Edinburgh laboratory are now assessing the impact on current casework from fire, smoke and water damage.
At this stage it would appear that none of the key laboratory facilities have been extensively damaged, although there will clearly be some interruption to service.
Tom Nelson, SPSA Director of Forensic Services said: "This has been a serious incident, but one that I am pleased to say has not resulted in any injuries to my staff.
"An initial assessment suggests that although there has been extensive smoke damage throughout the building, only two rooms have suffered from fire. Neither of these rooms are key scientific laboratory facilities.
"Our task now is twofold. First, supporting Lothian and Borders Police in the investigation of this crime and secondly of course assessing the interim impact on our service and working quickly to get the laboratory back up to normal operations. I hope that this is able to be achieved in a matter of weeks."
A police spokesman said: "We are appealing for anyone who was in the area of Howdenhall Road or St Katherine's Brae at the time of the incident, who noticed any suspicious activity, to get in touch with us immediately.
"Similarly, we want to hear from anyone who saw a vehicle being driven at speed in the area in the early hours of this morning.
"Anyone else who has any other information that can assist our inquiries should also get in touch."
The Forensic Services facility at Howdenhall is one of four laboratories providing forensic support to Scotland's police and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. Up to 60 staff work at the Edinburgh facility and it provides around 20% of the total forensic work across Scotland.
Anyone with information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.