Celtic chief executive’s house set on fire in ‘petrol bomb’ attack while he and his family slept
Masked arsonist caught on CCTV at Celtic chief executive’s house as club’s former stars condemn attack as ‘cowardly and despicable’
- Peter Lawwell’s home in Glasgow caught fire in the early hours of the morning
- The Celtic chief executive and his family were asleep in the home at the time
- Fire was sparked by an arson attack on three of his cars parked in the driveway
- The football chief and his family have been left ‘extremely shaken and shocked’
Police have seized CCTV footage of the chilling moments an arsonist starting the huge blaze that engulfed the home of Celtic’s chief executive while his family slept inside.
The arsonist sparked a fierce blaze that then spread to the house while Mr Lawwell, 61, and his family lay sleeping inside.
His daughter and four month old baby granddaughter are understood to be among those forced to flee their home when the fire began to spread.
Their annexe flat is understood to be above the garage alongside the house which pictures from the scene this morning show is now in charred ruins.
No one was injured in the Thorntonhall blaze but all have been left ‘extremely shaken and shocked’.
Police slammed the arson attack as ‘completely reckless’ as they revealed a man had been caught on CCTV pouring an accelerant on the vehicles.
Detective Inspector Susie Cairns said: ‘This was a completely reckless act which destroyed three cars and caused significant damage to the property’s garage.
‘The consequences could have been so much worse but thankfully nobody was injured during this incident.’
The fire took hold of the two-storey property on the south side of Glasgow around 1am this morning.
The thug threw accelerant at three of the Parkhead power broker’s cars parked in the driveway.
The fire, which started in the early hours of Wednesday morning and caused ‘significant damage’ to the south Glasgow home (pictured), was started in an arson attack
Multiple vehicles and the garages are also understood to have been destroyed by the fire (pictured)
The flames spread to the house when the car ‘exploded’ outside the home in south Glasgow, Lanarkshire, an area where the average house price is in excess of £2million.
Detectives are treating the fire as deliberate and have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
The male suspect caught on CCTV is described as around 5 ft 10 ins and of slim build.
He was wearing black joggers, a black hooded jumper with the hood up, black trainers and a face mask.
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell and his family were sleeping inside the home at the time of the fire and were left ‘extremely shaken and shocked’
A silver/grey hatchback car was also seen near to the house at the time of the fire.
Detective Inspector Susie Cairns added: ‘I am appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time that saw a man or car matching this description or saw any unusual activity to please come forward.
‘If you have personal CCTV or a dashcam, please check back and see if there is any footage that could assist our investigation.
‘No matter how small or insignificant you think it may be, please get in touch.’
Football figures have been rallying round to support Mr Lawwell and offering messages of support to him and his family.
BBC Sports pundit and former Celtic striker Chris Sutton slammed the attackers, saying: ‘The attack on Peter Lawwell’s home last night was cowardly and despicable. What the hell is wrong with some people’.
Former Celtic player Ramon Vega also called it ‘outrageous and unacceptable’ in a post on Twitter.
Neighbours were alerted to the fire shortly after it was started around 1am last night.
One resident who lives nearby reported hearing ‘loud bangs’ during the night, whike another described the sound as like ‘fire crackers’.
An onlooker filmed the fire after driving past, caputring the moment emergency services battled the blaze as it gripped a roof
They told The Scottish Sun: ‘We didn’t know what had happened until we came down this morning and there were emergency services everywhere.
‘It’s terrifying to think what could have happened.’
Another witness told The Daily Record: ‘I woke up and there was police everywhere and lots of blue flashing lights.
‘That was around 2.30 and there was a huge emergency response. I think there was a baby inside that house.’
Police and up to eight fire engines carrying 40 firefighters attended the scene as part of the ‘major response’.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze but some remained at the scene at 7am and police road closures were still in place at that time.
The force confirmed they have launched a joint invesigation with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to determine the cause of the blaze, which caused ‘significant damage’ to the house.
Multiple vehicles and the garages are also understood to have been destroyed by the fire.
Mr Lawwell and his family were taken to a safe location after the horrific attack, but Police Scotland refused to reveal any details over whether they were being given any protection following the ‘terrible’ incident.
A spokesperson for the Scottish football team said Mr Lawwell and his family were uninjured but had been left ‘extremely shaken and shocked’.
Celtic have endured a torrid season on the field, seeing their bid for an unprecedented 10th Scottish title in a row failing, with hated rivals Rangers winning the SPL. They also exited the Champions league and domestic cups early on.
Police Scotland confirmed they have launched a joint invesigation with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to determine the cause of the blaze, which caused ‘significant damage’ to the house
The Celtic spokesperson said: ‘We can confirm that significant damage has been caused to Peter Lawwell’s house and vehicles there, following an explosion and fire early this morning, forcing the family to leave the property.’
‘Clearly, Peter’s family are extremely shaken and shocked by these terrible events, but thankfully all are safe’
‘We understand that Police Scotland are currently undertaking a criminal investigation.’
‘Peter and his family will of course receive the full support and care of everyone at the Club.’
A Police Scotland spokesperson told Mail Online: ‘Around 1am on Wednesday, 19 May, officers were called to a report of vehicles on fire outside a house [in south Glasgow]. ‘No one was injured and officers are currently working with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to establish the cause of the fire.’
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service also told The Daily Record: ‘We were alerted at 1.02am on Wednesday, May 19 to reports of a car on fire outside a dwelling [in south] Glasgow.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘We were alerted at 1.02am on Wednesday, May 19 to reports of a car on fire outside a dwelling in [south] Glasgow.
‘Operations Control mobilised eight appliances to the scene to extinguish the fire, which was affecting a number of cars as well as the detached two-storey property.’
Former Celtic FC manager Neil Lennon (pictured) was also violently threatened during his tenure at the club, with bullets sent to him in the post
Celtic were heavily criticised for going ahead with the training trip to Dubai in December despite rising Covid-19 cases both at home and in the Middle East
It is not the first time a Celtic FC figure has been targeted – although it is not clear if the attack is linked to Mr Lawwell’s football connections in any way.
Celtic’s Northern Irish manager Neil Lennon was repeatedly threatened with violence during his tenure.
In 2011 bullets were sent to him at Celtic’s stadium address, while primed explosive devices intended for Mr Lennon were also intercepted.
His home was eventually placed under 24-hour guard following the violent threats.
Mr Lawwell was first employed by Celtic as the club’s Financial Controller in the early 1990s. He later because Chief Executive in 2003.
Earlier this year he was forced to publicly apologise to Celtic fans after Celtic ignored rising Covid cases both here and in the Middle East and flew out to Dubai in late December for a training camp.
Poolside pictures of players and staff drinking alcohol infuriated supporters who were enduring a second lockdown back home.
The scandal prompted First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to question if the club were abusing their elite athlete exemption.
When one player tested positive for the virus on the team’s return, 13 players and three staff – including manager Neil Lennon and his assistant John Kennedy – were all forced to self-isolate.
Mr Lawwell expressed his regret that the trip had gone ahead and issued a grovelling apology to fans, saying he ‘clearly [realised] it was a mistake’ and for that he profoundly apologised’ to the club’s supporters.
He is set to end his 17 years at Celtic this summer as he retires at the end of June.
He will be replaced by Dominic McKay, who has already moved from Scottish Rugby to take up the post.
Detectives investigating the blaze have asked anyone with information to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 0134 of 19 May. Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
