Fire probe as former nursery destroyed in blaze

Police are investigating after a former nursery school in Renfrewshire was destroyed by a fire.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue service were called to the scene of the former Spateston pre-five centre in Johnstone at around 5.30pm on Friday.

Locals, particularly children and young people, have been warned to stay away from the building that was in mid-demolition before the fire.

And a local community group have thanked firefighters and police for putting the fire out and keeping the area safe.

Spateston Community Development Trust said: “First of all a massive thanks to the vigilant members of the community who alerted the emergency services to the fire!

“Also to all the responders from the Scottish Fire Service and Police Scotland for securing the area, putting out the fire and keeping all around the site safe.

“This could have been much worse but thankfully it wasn’t, this time. The building was mid-demolition as it was in a poor state of repair.

“Please urge children and young people to stay away from the site until clearance has been completed for obvious reasons.

“If you see members if the public accessing the site please contact 101 immediately. We will use the winter months to consult with the community and then in the New Year enter into a discussion with Renfrewshire Council to see what we can do with the site, potentially a community garden? Let us know your thoughts?”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We received a report of a fire at a premises on Walpole Place, Johnstone, around 5.35pm on Friday, August 20.

“Emergency services attended and there were no reports of any injuries. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”