The quick actions of UK Defence Journal team member George Allison have potentially saved local businesses from fire damage.

George Allison, a UK Defence Journal team member, was out flying his drone to capture the sunset when he inadvertently spotted a gang igniting a fire in wasteland near a factory in Glasgow.

Coincidentally, the wasteland was located near the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service HQ and Clydesmill Fire Station.

Here’s the drone footage.

Swift Response Prevents Tragedy

Upon witnessing the incident, Allison immediately called 999 and reported the situation. An appliance was dispatched promptly to the scene, and the fire was successfully extinguished, saving nearby businesses from potential fire damage.

Firefighters Quickly Extinguish Small Fire Near Commercial Premises; No Casualties Reported

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson told me:

“We were alerted at 8.43pm on Wednesday, 26 April to reports of a fire in the open on Westburn Road, Cambuslang. Operations Control mobilised one appliance to the scene where firefighters extinguished a small fire on the waste ground behind a commercial premises. There were no reported casualties and crews left the scene at 20.58pm after ensuring the area was safe.”

Drone Technology and Public Vigilance in Public Safety

The incident highlights the value of drone technology in identifying and mitigating threats to public safety. The timely call to the emergency services prevented what could have been a disaster for the local community and businesses in the area.

If George had not observed the fire, it could have spread unnoticed and grown in intensity, posing a significant risk to nearby commercial premises and possibly residential areas. The fire might have caused extensive property damage, disrupted local businesses, and potentially led to injuries or even fatalities. The consequences could have been severe, emphasising the importance of public vigilance and quick reporting of such incidents to emergency services.

It remains unclear what motivated the group to commit such a dangerous act, and whether they were aware of the proximity of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service HQ.

Lisa West
Lisa has a degree in Media & Communication from Glasgow Caledonian University and works with industry news, sifting through press releases in addition to moderating website comments.

22 COMMENTS

  1. Shame you didn’t have a small thunder flash on it to drop on them a la Ukraine, it would certainly have given them brown trousers!!

  2. Looks like the roof of the building on the left at 51 sec might have got a bit hot in the past as well…..really good use of a drone, well done!

  3. Get a helpful Ukrainian to fit a device filled with cat piss, super glue and glitter to drop on the wee neds next time.

  4. It was amusing to see the fire brigade drive round the block to put a fire out. What’s next – getting run over by an ambulance just outside your hospital? 😄

  5. Well done George. It does make one think about what technology can do. Perhaps drone operators over the countryside in summer when we have droughts and risks of fires.
    Just need a loudspeaker for when some eejit lights a barbecue “put that light out”.
    Good bit of Citizenship 👍🏻

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