Churchgoers in Clarkston have been accused of blocking access to a blaze that "gutted" the home of a family of six on Sunday.

Fire crews were called to Carolside Avenue at around 12.20pm, but arrived to find the street blocked by the cars of parishioners attending midday mass at the nearby St Joseph's Church.

Some churchgoers had parked on double yellow lines at the junction with Cecil Street.

One car had to be moved by its owner, while the fire engine reversed to access the street from the opposite direction.

A witness said the fire "gutted" the front of the house, while the back of the house now has "really bad smoke damage".

It is understood that the family of six who live at the address are now staying with relatives.

Glasgow Times:

A fire officer contacted Councillor David Macdonald about the blockage, in a message later posted publicly on Facebook.

The officer said: "Cars parked irresponsibly meant that we had to reverse back down Carolside Avenue and go back onto the Main Street and back onto Carolside Avenue further up.

"I am sure you are aware that every second and minute we are delayed from tackling a fire can be vital.

"I think the street is particularly busy at that time due to church services and people accessing shops on the Main Street so might not have all been due to local residents.

Glasgow Times:

Nick Hopkins, who lives on the street, said irresponsible parking was a reoccurring issue among residents.

"Because we back straight onto St Joseph’s Church, it’s very busy at mass times and people park in places where they shouldn’t," he said.

"Yesterday, a driver apparently had to move his car to let fire crews through, because they hadn’t been able to get through the way they wanted.

"Double yellow line parking is extremely common at mass times and sometimes the parishioners can be quite aggressive towards residents.

Glasgow Times:

"We’ve had people park across driveways and all sorts of stuff," he continued.

"We understand the priest reiterates the point to his congregation about considerate parking quite regularly but they don’t seem to get the point.

"It is a significant frustration to people here and there is quite a lot of anger here. It’s a regular topic of conversation. One of our neighbours went down to speak to the priest yesterday to make the point.

Glasgow Times:

Councillor Stewart Miller, who represents the Clarkston ward of East Renfrewshire Council, said: "There have been parking issues on that road for 30 or 40 years.

"That road is chock-a-block, morning noon and night every day.

"If you put yellows [lines] there, that could stop residents parking there. But if you're putting yellow lines you need to police it."

A priest from St Joseph's Parish refused to comment.