SAD NEWS : A Celtic FC Player And His FAmily Perished In The damaged Home Due To Fire.
SAD NEWS: A Celtic FC player and his family were killed in a fire that destroyed their home.
A football club’s CEO and his family have been left “extremely shaken and shocked” after their home was allegedly firebombed while they slept.
Peter Lawwell, the owner of Celtic FC, was forced to evacuate his home with his family, including his four-month-old infant granddaughter, after an explosion at his property in an upscale town in South Lanarkshire early Wednesday morning.
A fire caused “significant damage” to the property, prompting police and the Scottish fire and rescue department to initiate an investigation.
Cars on a driveway were completely destroyed and a large garage was burned out following the attack.
One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: “It’s a well known house. Very big where all the millionaires live.
“It was frightening watching the flames in the night sky and we were terrified that the occupants might not escape.”
‘Wanted’ pictures of Mr Lawwell were posted around Celtic Park by fans in January, frustrated by a run of poor results.
His stewardship was also questioned by supporters after manager at the time Neil Lennon took his squad to Dubai for mid-winter training the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
The incident comes amid growing sectarian tensions in Glasgow, after Rangers FC, Celtic’s bitter rivals, won their first Scottish Premiership title in a decade.
Rangers fans ran rampage through Glasgow city centre on Saturday after celebrations turned violent.
Meanwhile, executives at Celtic have also come under significant pressure from their own supporters after their rivals regained supremacy and the team manager position has not been filled permanently since February.
Mr Lawwell, 61, and his baby granddaughter were believed to have been inside a flat above the garage when the blaze broke out. Although the fire spread to the luxury home, no-one was injured.
A Celtic spokesman said: “We can confirm that significant damage has been caused to Peter Lawwell’s house and vehicles there, following an explosion and fire, 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.”
Mr Lawwell, who has been Celtic chief executive for 17 years, had been due to retire at the end of next month.
The roof of the garage, which was attached to the main home, was completely destroyed along with at least three cars on the driveway. The family were taken to a safe location by police.
Firefighters extinguished the flames but a number remained at the scene yesterday morning, with police road closures still in place.
Mr Lawwell purchased the 12-room, 6750 sq ft mansion in 2010 for £1.5million, and in 2008 turned down an offer to run Arsenal FC.
The area is seen as one of the most desirable and exclusive in Scotland, which is popular with Celtic and Rangers footballers, and was once home to Michelle Mone, the Tory peer and bra entrepreneur.
This season was the first since 2010-11 in which Celtic have not won the Scottish Premiership, causing anger among fans who had been desperate to win ten championships in a row, which would have surpassed Rangers’ nine consecutive wins between 1989 and 1997.
On Saturday, 28 Rangers fans were arrested following widespread disorder in Glasgow city centre, after fans gathered to celebrate their title win, which was delivered under manager and former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard.
Five police officers were injured and a taskforce has been set up to identify more supporters who committed crimes.
The violence has once again shone a spotlight on sectarianism and bigotry within Scottish Football. The Scottish Government is considering a clampdown that would make football clubs liable for the behaviour of their fans.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Around 1am on Wednesday, officers were called to a report of vehicles on fire outside a house.
“No-one was injured and officers are currently working with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to establish the cause of the fire.”
