Anti-drugs campaigner rescued from 'suspicious' early morning blaze

A fire that drove an anti-drugs campaigner from his Dundee home is being treated as suspicious after a probe by police and fire services.

Ian Connelly, 53, and his dog were rescued from the property at Finavon Terrace in the city's Fintry area around 4am on Thursday.

Mr Connelly has been vocal in his condemnation of local drug dealers since the death of his 23-year-old son Liam Connelly in 2010.

It is understood Liam was under the influence of mephedrone, known as "bubbles", when he walked into the path of a lorry on the busy A90, which links Dundee with Aberdeen.

Neighbours raised the alarm on Thursday morning and when firefighters arrived they found a blaze in the property's living room.

Mr Connelly was asleep upstairs and had to be assisted to safety along with his dog. He was uninjured in the incident.

Tayside Fire and Rescue Service and Tayside Police launched a joint investigation into the fire. That probe concluded that the circumstances surrounding the blaze were suspicious.

A spokesman for Tayside Police said: "Tayside Police can confirm that, following the conclusion of the joint investigation, the fire at a house in Dundee's Finavon Terrace this morning is being treated as suspicious.

"Tayside Police and Tayside Fire and Rescue who carried out the investigation, attended the scene at around 4am this morning, and found a 53-year-old man within. The fire was quickly extinguished and the occupier was assisted from the building, fortunately uninjured. However, the consequences could have been far worse.

"Officers are urging anyone who has information that could assist them with their enquiries, including anyone who saw or heard suspicious activity or persons in the area at the time to contact Tayside Police on 0300 111 2222."

From STV