TAXI FIREBALL Firebug torches Lanarkshire taxi owned by tycoon Stevie Malcolm after smashing into parked motor on quiet streethttps://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/3 ... -cab-taxi/It has been claimed The Penny Cars cab was set alight following the 8am shunt
Image: The Scottish SunA FIREBUG torched a taxi owned by tycoon Stevie Malcolm after it smashed into a parked motor, it has been claimed.
The Penny Cars cab was set alight following the 8am shunt in a quiet street.
Terrified neighbours told how they were in their beds when the fireball erupted in Caldercruix, Lanarkshire.
Gran-of-six Jean Black, 74, said: “I woke up to a tremendous bang and you could see smoke and flames coming out of a car outside.
“I was scared to open the door. I was worried there was going to be an explosion. It was frightening.
“I thought other cars were going to blow up.”
The burnt-out Peugeot Partner was found close to a mangled Fiat Bravo whose boot was caved in.
Onlookers claimed staff of Malcolm, 54 — dubbed ‘The Fat Controller’ — arrived in a fleet of motors to track down the blaze maniac.
One said: “Straight after there were loads of Penny Cars in the street.
"Some were saying it was one of their own drivers that did it and that he’s set it on fire in a panic after crashing.
“But others think it might have been boozed-up neds who nicked a cab and went on a joyride.”
Image: Les Gallagher/The Sun GlasgowAnother resident in Park Lea told of his shock at discovering the written-off Bravo.
He said: “I’m so relieved. My van was right next to the unlucky car.
“The taxi’s been set on fire. A car wouldn’t go alight just from a crash like that.”
Cops launched a probe but revealed they had no details about the cab driver.
A spokesman added: “Inquiries are ongoing.”
We told last year how four Mercedes were torched in a £150,000 attack at Malcolm’s Airdrie HQ after he wooed drivers from rival firms.
The £50million tycoon was a pal of late crimelord Tam ‘The Licensee’ McGraw.