A brazen firebomb attack on a Glasgow garage has raised fears that a violent gang feud has reignited in the east end of the city.
Multiple cars parked outside All Automotive on Causewayside Street in the Tollcross area were deliberately set alight in what police sources are treating as a targeted retaliation strike.
The attack left the vehicles burned out and caused significant damage to the surrounding area. Emergency services rushed to the scene after the blaze took hold, with firefighters working to bring the flames under control before they could spread further.
Locals in the Tollcross area say the attack has left the community on edge. The garage, which sits on a residential stretch of Causewayside Street, is well known to people in the neighbourhood, and many were shocked to wake up to the aftermath of what appeared to be a calculated criminal act.
Police Scotland are now investigating the incident as a deliberate act of fire-raising and have confirmed they believe it is connected to an ongoing dispute between rival criminal factions operating in the Glasgow area. Officers have described the attack as a retaliation strike, suggesting it is part of a broader pattern of tit-for-tat violence rather than an isolated incident.
The firebombing follows a series of similar incidents in Glasgow in recent months that investigators have linked to gang-related tensions. Detectives are concerned that the latest attack signals a dangerous escalation in hostilities between the groups involved.
Gang-related violence has long been a serious issue in parts of Glasgow, and police have repeatedly warned that disputes between criminal networks can spill over into public spaces, putting innocent bystanders at risk. A fire attack of this kind, carried out in a built-up area, is exactly the sort of reckless act that officers say could easily have resulted in far more serious consequences.
No injuries have been reported in connection with the Causewayside Street attack, but Police Scotland are urging anyone with information about what happened to come forward. Detectives are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area around the time the fires were started or who has dashcam or CCTV footage that could assist the investigation.
The owner of All Automotive has not yet made a public statement about the attack or the damage caused to vehicles at the premises.
Police Scotland said in a statement that enquiries are ongoing and that they are following a number of lines of investigation. Officers have also increased patrols in the Tollcross area in response to the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland directly or pass details on anonymously through Crimestoppers.