AN elderly couple's only mode of transport has been destroyed in a deliberate torching. 

Police believe the fire was caused by two thugs who threw a flaming object at the car, which they think was mistakenly targeted in the attack.

The couple woke up at 1.45am on Tuesday, April 7 to find their black Volkswagen Golf on fire outside their home on Shetland Drive in Simshill. 

READ MORE: Glasgow woman 'penalised' by furlough scheme loophole calls for change

Emergency services rushed to the scene and extinguished the fire but officers confirmed the car was "totally burnt out".

Thankfully, there was no damage to the house, the surrounding area or the couple themselves. 

CCTV shows a red "coupe style" car drive up to the home and a white man, dressed in black hurl a lighted object at the car. 

The car then raced along Shetland Drive heading towards Old Castle Road. 

Detective Sergeant Alan Ferguson, Cathcart CID, said neither police nor the occupants of the house could understand why the elderly couple had been targeted and believed the attackers could have targeted the house by mistake. 

He said: "It's apparent from the footage that the car was specifically targeted by the suspects but we cannot, and neither can the householders, understand why this car at this address.

READ MORE: Glasgow NHS staff paid just £9.50 an hour to transport dead bodies and clean beds

"We believe that it may have been the wrong car at the wrong address that was set alight, and have no reason to believe the householders nor neighbours, would be the ones the suspects were looking for."

He added: "The car was the only mode of transport the couple have. The fact that they are now without it and will have to replace it at their cost and inconvenience, through no fault of their own is unfair.

READ MORE: Rangers star Alfredo Morelos delivers emergency food packages to Colombian hometown

"We would appeal to anyone who may have seen the car in the area, may be have dash-cam footage, or saw it speed off afterwards to contact police. Details can be passed to Cathcart CID via 101. Please quote reference number 0234 of 7 April 2020. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111." 

-----------------------------------------------

Shops are closing. Newspaper sales are falling. But we’ve chosen to keep our coverage of the Coronavirus crisis free because it’s so important that the people of Glasgow stay informed during this difficult time.

To help us get through this, we’re asking readers who can afford it to contribute either £3, £5 or £8 a month to the Glasgow Times.

If you choose to sign up, we’ll also take away all the adverts – and deliver a digital version of the print paper to your device. Click here to help Save Your Times: www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/subscribe