Suspected arson attack destroys Bruces Coaches depot and Rangers coach

A fire in the early hours of Saturday morning (20th) has destroyed the garage of Salsburgh based Bruce Coaches and four coaches within it. Nobody was injured in the blaze which was attended by six fire appliances. Holes were cut in the perimeter fence and the side of the depot to gain entry, leading police to comment that it appeared to have been set deliberately. There were a series of explosions and the roof of the building collapsed as a result of the fire.

Among the coaches destroyed was a newly delivered Van Hool TX17 Astron, lavishly specified by proprietor, John Bruce, to be ‘the best coach in Scotland’ and reputed to have cost over £500,000. It had been extensively featured in the Scottish media as it was to be used as the team coach for Rangers FC. Also destroyed was a second super executive based on a Bova Magiq and two of the Caetano Levante bodied Scanias which are used on the long National Express diagrams that are the mainstay of the Bruces business.

Police are playing down the suggestion that destroying the Rangers coach was the motive for the attack, saying that their investigations are in their early stages and asking anyone who has any information to pass it on to them.

John Bruce started the business in 1982 and had built it up to specialise in express contract work, the move into corporate work being a new departure that the company was developing.

Meanwhile, In Bristol, Police have arrested two mean aged 18 and 43 on suspicion of arson following the fire at the Summercourt, Cornwall, premises of Western greyhound on 13 May that destroyed 35 vehicles. They have been bailed until December.

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