The family of a man who was left stranded in the north-east after fire raisers torched his removal van has described the attack as “ruthless”.
Removal man Michael Eastman had travelled to the north-east port from Burton upon Trent to help a couple move home.
He left his JD Removals and Storage van on the street near his guest accommodation and was shocked to discover firebugs had set the vehicle ablaze in the early hours.
No one was injured in the fire but the white Renault van was wrecked by the flames and fire fighters had to use oxygen masks to get close to the blaze.
Mr Eastman said: “Someone deliberately set fire to my removal truck. It’s awful to think that someone can do this to a working man. All I did was spend one night in Peterhead.”
Posting on a local social media page, family member Deborah Hawkins added: “This has caused real devastation to our family, Mick was left stranded 500 miles from home.”
And she encouraged any witnesses to the “ruthless” incident to contact the police.
Detectives have confirmed they are investigating the incident. Mr Eastman has returned home.
Last night a spokeswoman for the police said: “Police Scotland is investigating a wilful fire involving a white Renault van which happened in the Port Henry Street area of the town in the early hours of Thursday, May 4 at around 2am.”
She urged anyone who was in the area at the time and “saw anything suspicious” to contact police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A spokesman for the fire and rescue service said: “At 2.16am on Thursday, May 4 the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to a van on fire in Port Henry Street in Peterhead.
“A single appliance was mobilised and fire fighters in protective breathing apparatus extinguished the flames with high-powered hoses.”
He added: “There were no casualties and crews left the scene after ensuring the safety of the area.”
