Police are investigating a suspicious a fire in a flat in Paisley which broke out on Monday night.
Tonight a 51-year-old man remains in intensive care and a six-year-old boy who was rushed to hospital has been released.
Emergency services were called to a fire in a ground floor flat in George Street, near to Maxwellton Street, Paisley at around 8.55pm on Monday 18th December 2017.
There was no one in the flat at the time, however, three residents from the block, a 51-year-old man from a ground floor flat and a second man (NFD) and a six-year-old boy who lives in the flat above, were taken by ambulance to the Royal Alexandra Hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation.
Only the 51-year-old man remains in hospital and is in intensive care. Hospital staff describe his condition as critical.
A number of other residents were evacuated as a precaution but have been allowed to return to their homes.
Detective Inspector David Wagstaff, Paisley CID, said: “Officers, including a forensic team, are carrying out a search of the flat and also speaking to neighbours in an effort to trace the person responsible for the fire.
“Whilst there may have been no one in the flat that was targeted, this irresponsible and thoughtless act has resulted in a neighbour being seriously ill in hospital.
“George Street is residential and it is entirely possible that people would have been in the street or driving by at the time of the incident. I would appeal to anyone who may have seen someone running from the flat or anyone acting suspiciously in the area between 8.45pm and 9pm, to contact police.”
“Any information can be passed to the CID at Paisley Police Station via 101. Please quote incident number 3687/18/12/17 when calling. Alternatively, details can be given in confidence to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”