Charity's 'lifeblood' van destroyed in Possil Road fire

Emergency services were called out to the premises of Open Gates on Possil Road around 8pm on Thursday. 

Open Gates supports prisoners and ex-prisoners through an employment and training scheme in the hope of reducing re-offending. 

The van is an essential part of the charity's programme of manufacturing and upcycling furniture and white goods. 

Founder and project manager Pat Clark said: "This is our lifeblood. This is where the money comes in. We get donations and we bring them into the factory to clean them up and to send them to the shop in Partick all using the van.

"The van is the main tool for the charity.

"It is a heap of scrap now." 

The van ahead before a Christmas meal for the homeless organised by volunteers

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The vehicle itself was given to the Open Gates by The Triangle Trust which supports the work of hundreds of charities. 

Mr Clark added: "We will get insurance but it is the time it takes to get this through. I went to hire a van today but it is £500, we just don't have that to pay. 

"I am just trying to see if we can make other arrangements."

But the project manager was not surprised the organisation was targeted.

"It does not come as a surprise. The good thing is it wasn't one of our boys - that would have hurt me but it wouldn't put me off them."

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed to the Glasgow Times they attended the fire. 

Nobody was injured and the blaze was extinguished by two fire appliances.