CRUEL thugs stole a care home's minibus before torching it beside a bonfire. 

Cops and fire crews were called to Skirsa Square, Cadder, on Saturday night.

The specially adapted vehicle was stolen from Balmanno House care home at Cleveden Road.

In a statement, the directors of the facility said the disappointment that their residents will feel "will not be hard to understand".

Glasgow Times:

Glasgow Times:

Staff use the minibus to take the elderly residents for day outs and appointments.

One person who witnessed the incident said: "It all started with a small bonfire, everyone setting off fireworks. 

"Me and my wife were watching the TV when we both heard loud bangs. I thought it was a firework, but it wasn't. I went to the kitchen then I saw something big, a white minibus and some bikers. 

"So the minibus flames started to get big then four police vans turned up and the police started to tell them to go away and tried to catch them, but the bikers started to circle around the police officers. The fire brigade then came to put the fire out.

"Around 2am the minibus was towed away with a police car following the truck." 

Cops launched an investigation following the fire-raising and enquiries are currently ongoing. 

The directors of Balmanno House said: “The theft and subsequent destruction of the home’s minibus is not only sad and reprehensible but will lead in the short term to substantial curtailing of eagerly looked forward to activities among the residents of our care home.

"The residents are all of advanced years and many are physically frail. Use of the minibus at this time of the year as Christmas approaches becomes increasingly popular and the disappointment which our residents will feel will not be hard to understand.

"That such a turn of events should so adversely impact on the likes of Balmanno House, a charitable body, highlights the wantonness of the theft and loss tarnishes Glasgow’s reputation as it cares for its elderly citizens.”

Last night, community page No1seems2careIs was informed of the incident before the news was confirmed, and posted: "Is this really a care home minibus stolen and burnt out in Cadder?

"If so, just think of the elderly and vulnerable residents (someone's mum, dad, gran or grandad) who are not mobile, who can't get out and depend on a minibus, like this, for a day out, a wee bit of freedom.

"Something most of us take for granted. Now up in smoke! Seriously? It's sickening!" 

Dozens of people condemned the vandalism.

One person wrote: "How evil is that, I just don't understand this world today. They buses are a luxury for older people. Hope they find whoever did this sad thing." 

Another added: "Clearly the lovely individuals don’t have any elderly relatives. Absolutely disgusted."

Someone said: "Disgraceful, shocking, I could go on, nothing but terrible." 

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A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were called around 0.05am on Sunday, November 6, to a report of a minibus being set on fire in Skirsa Square, Glasgow.

“The fire was put out by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and no one was injured.

“Enquiries have established that the minibus was stolen earlier from the Maryhill area of the city and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”