Lanarkshire town could have seen 9/11 tragedy after fire attack

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Motherwell could have seen a 9/11 tower tragedy after a fire attack in a block whose residents include families and pensioners.Firefighters who raced to Airbles Tower late at night found papers had been set alight and stuffed through a letterbox on the 10th floor.The apartment was filled with smoke, but fortunately the blaze didn’t spread.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Robert Paterson, 43, of nearby Freesia Court, was accused of wilful fireraising, but was given a not proven verdict after trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court.The fire happened on September 11, 2021 - exactly 20 years after the twin tower terrorist attack in New York that killed thousands.Prosecutors accused Paterson of causing damage to the flat, which was empty at the time, and endangering the lives of other tower residents including elderly people and young families.Paterson, a grandfather, denied starting the fire.Crew Commander Fraser McNair said he and firefighter colleagues arrived at the tower block shortly after 10pm and made their way upstairs.He told the jury: “I opened the letterbox and smoke issued out."I broke the lock and gained access to the flat.“It was heavily smoke-logged inside and I saw paper in the letterbox that was smouldering.“There were burn marks on the skirting and carpet, but the fire had burned itself