Edinburgh community garden organisers say shed fire 'punch in the guts' after causing £13k worth of damage

The organisers of a community garden in Edinburgh say they feel “a punch to the guts” after a shed was set on fire causing £13,000 worth of damage.

Police have now launched an appeal for witnesses following the fire in the Wester Hailes area in the early hours of Monday morning.

Reports were received around 2.50am that the shed at Murrayburn and Hailesland Community Garden was on fire.

Officers are treating the incident as suspicious and estimate that around £13,000 worth of damage was caused.

They say no-one was injured.

Following the incident, the community garden posted to their Facebook page thanking those who had supported them since the fire started.

They described how young people had helped to build the shed and that a children’s play shed was also caught up in the damage from the fire.

They stated: “Appreciate the support from everyone last night. Sorry to say we lost our children’s natural play shed which was set light too, and play materials and a load of new tools that Tesco had just donated to the garden. It’s a blow for all the young folk who helped build the shed in the first instance. A punch to the guts.

“We have a skip arriving tomorrow morning and the incident has been reported to the police.

“We’ll put things right and use this as an opportunity to improve on what was already there. Onwards!”

The community garden began as a South West Edible Estates project in 2018 and was funded by the Climate Challenge Fund.

The project is a space for the community to grow food, hold workshops and for children to play.

Detective Sergeant Alan Sharp, of Costorphine CID, said: “Thankfully no-one was injured as a result of the fire.

“This fire caused a great deal of damage to the shed and its contents, although it is fortunate it didn’t spread further and cause even more destruction.

“Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and we are appealing for anyone with information or saw any suspicious activity in the area to please come forward.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident 0948 of September 12. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”