Police are hunting vandals who set fire to a gas pipe

Emergency services were called after witnesses spotted a one metre flame rising from a house in Barnton.

Fire crews found an external gas pipe outside an unoccupied house had been set alight on Monday night.

Gas officials said the incident, which happened at about 1830 GMT on Barnton Grove could have caused a huge blast.

It was incredible that no-one was injured Lothian and Borders Police spokeswoman

Lothian and Borders Police said they were "stunned" by the act and were hunting five youths seen in the area at the time.

The group, who are thought to have made their way towards Queensferry Road, wore dark clothing, some with hooded tops, and one of them was heavy-set.

A police spokeswoman said: "It is incredible that no-one was injured and that this did not result in a potentially devastating explosion.

"The property was unoccupied but it is in a lane where other properties, including a children's nursery are nearby.

"Fire-raising is an extremely dangerous thing to do, but setting fire to a mains gas pipe could have devastating consequences."

Absolutely appalled

Elaine Buchan, 65, a resident on Barnton Grove, said she was "absolutely appalled" by the incident yards from her doorstep.

She said: "We've had quite a lot of vandalism in the area in the last two or three years, our front window has been smashed.

"We get these intimidating gangs of youths that hang around on the street corners and you're terrified to make eye contact with them."

The culprits not only put their own lives in danger but the lives of the emergency services, the gas network staff and the neighbours Scotland Gas Networks spokeswoman

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "I'm horrified as it could have had a ghastly effect on our property and it shows we have to be more vigilant.

"We do get one or two incidents round here but it's mostly just schoolboys larking about, this is much more reckless."

A spokeswoman for utility firm Scotland Gas Networks condemned the vandals for the "incredibly mindless act".

She said: "The culprits not only put their own lives in danger but the lives of the emergency services, the gas network staff and the neighbours.

"Thankfully such incredibly mindless acts of vandalism are extremely rare.

"We urge anyone with information about those responsible to contact the police."

The incident follows a serious gas explosion in the south of Edinburgh in December.

It left Student Ross Gray, 20, suffering from burns to 50% of his body after his house blew up in Buckstone.