Cats treated by firefighters after house 'deliberately' set alight in Elgin and car stolen

Police are hunting for a driver after a house was “deliberately” set on fire and a car stolen in Moray.

Crews were called to a fire at a house on Sandy Road in Elgin around 12.45pm on Wednesday, before the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) put out the blaze.

No one was in the house at the time, but firefighters treated two cats for smoke inhalation at the scene.

A silver Ford Fiesta, registration GC14 LHG, parked in the driveway was stolen, along with other personal items from the house.

Police later said the vehicle was recovered in Brinuth Place in Elgin.

Officers said door-to-door enquiries are being carried out, and any relevant CCTV footage from in and around the area is being sought.

Detective Inspector Andrew Wilson said: “We have established that the stolen car was driven down Sandy Road towards Springfield Road with a male driving and we are checking all relevant CCTV footage for any further sightings of the car as it is still to be traced.

“I am appealing to anyone who was in the Sandy Road area at the time and saw a man acting suspiciously to contact us.

“I’d also appeal for anyone with recording equipment, such as dash cams, doorbell devices, to check the footage as it’s possible images could have been captured that would assist our investigation.”

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 12.50pm on Wednesday, November 13, to reports of a dwelling fire on Sandy Road, Elgin.

“Three fire appliances were mobilised to the scene where crews extinguished a fire affecting the living room window.

“There were no reported casualties. Two cats suffering from smoke inhalation were treated by firefighters using Smokey Paws kit.

“Crews left the scene at 2.32pm after ensuring the area was made safe.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 1470 of November 13, 2024.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.