GANGSTER Mark Richardson’s empire was targeted in a fresh firebomb attack this morning amid an ongoing crime mob feud.
Cops and fire crews raced to a property in Edinburgh where it’s understood the father of Richardson’s partner Stephanie Dignan lives and runs a business.
The property was engulfed in flames following the attack
Aftermath of the firebomb hit
The inferno comes amid claims of an escalating gang war
Mark Richardson’s empire was targeted in a fresh firebomb attack
The alarm was raised shortly after 6am on Sunday and a probe is ongoing to establish what caused the massive blaze.
Videos shared on social media show huge flames spiralling from the property in Milton Road East where it’s understood Steven Dignan has a house.
The inferno comes amid claims of an escalating gang war between Richardson’s crew and an upcoming crime gang.
A source said: “Steven has a garage there and his house is right next to it.
“It would be a hell of a coincidence if his daughter’s beauty salon and then his house went up in flames by accident in the space of a week.
“Everybody knows what’s going on and this is another message to Richardson from rivals who are out for revenge.”
We told how a yob was seen throwing a burning missile into Belle Cheveux beauty salon run by Stephanie in the city’s Leith area.
Another building linked to her dad Steven was set on fire with cops exploring the possibility the deliberate fires are linked.
We told how a crony of cocaine kingpin Richardson, 37, fled an armed thug as part of the escalating turf war.
Underworld sources told how David Togher, 39, ran for his life when confronted in the street by a rival hood.
They claim the confrontation and other attacks across the city are linked to a row over a drugs theft that’s led to homes, businesses and pals of caged Richardson.
A house belonging to a Richardson relative in the capital’s Niddrie was smashed up and a Range Rover was driven into the nearby home of one of his associates, it is claimed.
And on Tuesday, firefighters raced to a huge blaze at her dad’s storage unit in Musselburgh, East Lothian.
An insider said: “One of Mark’s guys built trust with this criminal organisation that only recently began flooding Scotland with cocaine.
“But he stole a batch from them, leaving the mob furious. They’re now targeting Richardson’s associates.”
Meanwhile, Richardson has been moved from HMP Glenochil, near Alloa, to Low Moss nick in Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow.
He was caged for eight years, nine months in 2018 after he admitted having a Glock gun as part of a £200million crime supergang.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Around 6.05am on Sunday we received a report of a fire at a property on Milton Road East, Edinburgh.
“Emergency services are in attendance and there are no reports of any injuries.
“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the cause.
“Milton Road East is closed and drivers are asked to avoid the area.”
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