Two teenagers charged over historic building fire

Police said the fire is being treated as 'wilful'

Two 16-year-old boys have been arrested and charged after a fire damaged a historic former council building in Stirling.

Six fire engines were sent to the abandoned Langgarth House on St Ninian's Road at about 17:50 on Saturday, with smoke engulfing the property.

Police Scotland previously said that they were treating the incident as "wilful" and that no-one had been injured.

The building was designed by acclaimed Scottish architect William Leiper in 1897 but has lain empty for 15 years, having latterly been offices for Stirling Council.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Two male youths, both aged 16, have been arrested in connection with a fire in Stirling.

"No-one was injured and extensive enquiries into the incident are ongoing."

The spokesperson added that anyone who had seen anything suspicious at the time of the incident should contact police.

The local authority, which has been trying to sell the building, said they were "concerned" by the incident.

On social media the Stirling MP Alyn Smith called the fire a "sad sight" while the Stirling MSP Evelyn Tweed described it as a "terrible sight to see".

No-one was injured in the fire

A number of roads were closed at the time, but have since re-opened.

The B-listed property was originally designed as a villa, and has retained many of its original features, including wooden panelling walls, leaded design windows and a wooden carved staircase.

Stirling Council have been attempting to sell the building in recent years, with a value of £50,000 placed on it.

William Leiper's other work included the Templeton Carpet Factory in Glasgow and the banqueting hall at Glasgow City Chambers, as well as a number of properties in Helensburgh, where he lived most of his life.

He died in 1916.