Deliberate flat fire in Renfrew treated as murder bid
Police are treating a deliberate fire at a flat in Renfrewshire which injured a woman and child as attempted murder.
Fire crews extinguished the blaze in the top-floor flat, in Simons Crescent, Renfrew, after being called at 04:00.
A 41-year-old woman and her two-year-old daughter are being treated for the effects smoke inhalation at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.
Police described the fire as a "despicable act" and said they believed the family was targeted deliberately.
Det Insp David Wagstaff, of Police Scotland, said: "We are treating this incident as attempted murder as it is believed that the fire was started deliberately outside the door of the flat.
"This was a despicable act which illustrates the culprit or culprits total disregard for this family's safety.
"It could have left a mother and her young daughter with more serious injuries, or indeed worse, if it were not for the woman being awakened by her smoke alarm."
Det Insp Wagstaff appealed for anyone who was in the area at the time, or anyone with information, to come forward "as a matter of urgency".
He added: "We believe that this family was targeted deliberately and we are currently making inquiries as to the circumstances behind it."