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EMERGENCY CREWS LOCKED DOWN SEVERAL STREETS IN THE TOWN AS THE BLAZE RIPPED THROUGH THE OLD CARE SPEIRSFIELD HOUSE CARE HOME ON TUESDAY EVENING. EDEL KENEALY and EMYLIE HOWIE 12:16, 29 May

2025Updated 12:18, 29 May 2025 A Paisley woman fears “someone is going to get killed” after a second fire ripped through a former nursing home. Emergency crews swarmed Speirsfield Gardens in

the town shortly after 7pm on Tuesday after being alerted to the inferno at the old Speirsfield House. At the height of the incident, seven fire trucks were on the scene as firefighters

tackled the flames. People living nearby were advised to keep their windows and doors shut as the drama unfolded. Stevenson Street, Causeyside Street and High Calside at Calside where all

closed to traffic for several hours while the blaze was brought under control. Yesterday, High Calside resident Mary Wilson told the _Paisley Daily Express_ how the smoke from the blaze

“lingered” in the air for hours. The 64-year-old said: “We were alerted to the fire by the fire service and warned to keep doors and windows closed. “Tuesday night was very still, it was

peaceful, we had even sat in the garden earlier in the night; that’s how nice it was. Of course, that made the perfect conditions for the fire. Article continues below “The smoke was thick

and dark, it was like a sudden forecast change and the sky was darkened, but also lit up by the flames that looked like they were coming from the roof of the home. “You could hear the

cracking and popping of the wood as the building burned. It looked terrifying. “Soot was all over the windows on Wednesday morning so I am glad we were warned to keep windows closed because

it looks like it was really bad and breathing that in would have been dangerous. “Even after the firefighters left on Wednesday morning, there was still a smell in the air, the smoke

lingered; it was like the air was thicker. “It almost reflected how sad we felt that this once beautiful building had been targeted yet again by mindless people destroying our buildings.”

Mary fears that wilful fires are “becoming more regular” and that, despite there being no casualties, fears there could be a tragedy one day. “Kids are seen frequently in at the house

climbing the walls and vandalising the walls,” she added. “They can be seen climbing the roof. I have no doubt this was started by teenagers. “They don’t realise how serious setting fires

are; that’s obvious with how often fires are being set, they are becoming frequent all over Paisley. Look at Tannahill, it was a firestarters playground until the demolition started.

“Thankfully, no one was injured this time but I’m not sure we are always going to be so lucky. Someone is going to get badly hurt, or even killed, in these mindless, selfish fires.” Police

Scotland confirmed the fire was started deliberately. A spokesperson said: “Emergency services were called around 7.35pm on Tuesday, May 27. The fire was extinguished by the Scottish Fire

and Rescue Service and there were no reported injuries. “The incident is being treated as wilful and enquiries are ongoing. We would like to thank the public for their patience while

emergency services were in attendance.” The fire comes after a planning application to demolish the building was submitted to Renfrewshire Council after the first blaze caused “extensive

damage” in August 2024. The application, which required listed building consent, was lodged in September 2024. It was, however, withdrawn on March 7. The Paisley Daily Express understands

this was because the council wanted more evidence from conservation specialists that the building cannot be saved. Dating back to 1874, the B-listed building was designed by architect John

Hutchison who added an extension in 1892. The first fire ravaged the sandstone mansion which still had many original features including stained glass windows, the original staircase, fire

places and mosaic flooring. It’s understood this has all been lost. Article continues below In 2023, permission was granted to owner Mr Lakhbir Sidhu for external and internal alterations of

the former Renfrewshire Council-run care home to transform it into a dwelling house. A separate application for the erection of a detached dwelling house and creation of two openings in the

boundary wall at the site was also lodged with the local authority. DON'T MISS THE LATEST RENFREWSHIRE HEADLINES – you can sign up to our free daily newsletter here