More than £300,000 worth of damage has been caused to a Moray construction company after three of its vehicles were “destroyed” by fire.
Two lorries and a tractor were discovered ablaze at Billy Miller Contractor and Plant Hire’s yard in Elgin yesterday.
Last night, police explained the cause of the destruction remains a mystery while appealing for witnesses who saw anything “unusual or suspicious”.
Employees at the firm revealed one of the lorries had only recently been bought – entering the firm’s fleet at the end of last year.
Operations manager Euan Cantlie said: “They’ve been completely destroyed by fire, and another two which were next to them have been damaged too.
“It’s devastating when you come in and see the destruction that has been caused.
“At the moment we don’t know what caused it. There’s nothing to say it was deliberate or anything else.”
He added: “It’s going to have knock-on consequences too for the work we do. That’s three vehicles gone. It takes time to replace them and its less for the drivers to use in the meantime.”
It is the second time in about a year that the firm has had vehicles taken off the road due to damage.
In December 2016, two teenagers caused nearly £40,000 worth of destruction to two diggers they broke into on an Elgin building site – using one to claw the cab off the other after digging holes in the ground.
Police and fire crews responded to yesterday’s fire at the Chanonry Industrial Estate shortly before 3am.
When employees of the firm arrived on the scene about an hour later the flames had already been extinguished.
Yesterday, the three stricken vehicles remained in the yard while employees scooped up the debris that had been left on the ground.
The cabs of the lorries and tractor have been wrecked by the flames while the tyres have been melted by the heat.
Last night, police confirmed that nobody was injured in the incident.
Sergeant Krystle Ross said: “Inquiries into the fire are at an early stage and we are working closely with fire service colleagues to ascertain the cause.
“If anyone, such as taxi or delivery drivers, saw anything unusual or suspicious in the area in the early hours then I would ask them to get in touch with officers.”
Anyone with information should contact by the police by phoning 101 and quote reference number 0237 on January 10. Details can also be given anonymously to Crimestoopers by calling 0800 555 111.
