Man, 40, in court on wilful fire-raising charge

A man appeared in private at Lerwick Sheriff Court charged with wilful fire-raising following a blaze at Da Vadill, Lerwick, on New Year’s Eve.

Douglas Preacher, 40, of Ladies Drive in Lerwick, appeared from custody on a petition on Monday.

He made no plea or declaration and was committed for further examination. He was released on bail.

Firefighters were called to a first floor flat at the building opposite Grantfield Garage at around 11.15pm on Friday. Two fire appliances from Lerwick went to the scene, and firefighters extinguished the blaze using one hose reel jet and four sets of breathing apparatus, while one main jet covered the outside of the building. The fire was out just before midnight.

The flat’s bedroom was 95 per cent fire damaged, with 100 per cent smoke damage affecting the remainder of the flat.