Celtic chief Peter Lawwell’s home set on fire as family slept inside

Celtic chief Peter Lawwell’s home ended up being set on fire, being petrol bombed according to reports, as his family slept inside.

Firefighters and police were sent to his property in Thorntonhall around 1am on Wednesday morning after a report of a vehicle fire.

Eight fire appliances were called out to the blaze, which affected cars parked up on the driveway and the house.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland confirmed there were thankfully no reports of any casualties.

Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze, however some remained at the scene six hours later come 7am with the police closing nearby roads.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 1am on Wednesday, 19th May officers were called to a report of vehicles on fire outside a house on Peel Road, Thorntonhall.

“No one was injured and officers are currently working with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to establish the cause of the fire.”

It is believed a petrol bomb or a similar device (rumoured to be a molotov cocktail) was aimed at Lawwell’s car as it sat in his driveway, before a lot more than just the vehicles went up in flames.

The car exploded and the blaze quickly spread to his luxury home on the south side of Glasgow.

As the fire ripped through windows and the roof of the house leaving multiple vehicles and the garages destroyed.

Lawwell’s daughter and her four month old baby girl have been living in a bubble with her dad during the pandemic and were inside the specially-developed flat in the grounds of his home when the fire tore through the property.

It is understood that they were both removed from the scene safely.

A spokesperson for Celtic said: “We can confirm that significant damage has been caused to Peter Lawwell’s house and vehicles there, following an explosion and fire early this morning, forcing the family to leave the property.”

“Peter and his family will of course receive the full support and care of everyone at the Club.”

“Clearly, Peter’s family are extremely shaken and shocked by these terrible events, but thankfully all are safe.” “We understand that Police Scotland are currently undertaking a criminal investigation.”

Celtic were unable to win the Scottish Premiership title this season with Rangers well and truly dominating as the Bhoys struggled.

It was the first time since 2011 that Celtic have not won the title with Neil Lennon leaving the club during the season.

Lawwell was first brought in by Celtic as the club’s financial controller from 1990 to 1991 though is leaving as chief executive at the end of next month.

Dominic McKay is coming away from Scottish Rugby as his replacement with Lawwell retiring after 17 years in the role.

Lawwell had said: “I believe the club have identified an excellent successor with the highest integrity.”

He added in January: “It was obvious that the club would be facing a natural period of transition at the end of this season regardless of any outcomes.

“Like every Celtic supporter, I am disappointed that, so far, this season has not worked out in the way we all hoped for, despite our best efforts.”

Celtic plan to open up season ticket renewals at the end of the month – after a prominent supporters’ organisation slammed the club following a meeting regarding this season’s briefs.

The Celtic Trust, which holds shares in the club, proposed a suggestion that the cost of season tickets should be converted into shares as one pay of paying something back.

New chief executive Dominic McKay promised a meeting with supporters soon but the outgoing Peter Lawwell met with key fan groups this week on the matter.

North Curve Celtic have shared an update on the consultation which they prefaced by branding it a “slap in the face to the entire support”.

Their statement read: “On the 11th of May 2021, the main Celtic supporter organisations met with representatives of Celtic Football Club to discuss the issue of value for season tickets for 2020/21 given fans have been unable to attend matches.

“In attendance were representatives of the Celtic Trust, the Celtic Supporters Association, the Affiliation of Registered Celtic Supporters, the Green Brigade, North Curve Celtic, the Association of Irish Celtic Supporters Clubs, Bhoys and the North American Celtic Supporters Clubs.

“This was a follow-up meeting from an initial meeting which occurred between the supporters and the club in June of 2020.

“Celtic FC had agreed to consult with supporters on the issue of how supporter value will be guaranteed, and it was assumed this would be said consultation. The meeting was opened with a short discussion on the Celtic Trust’s share proposal, with Peter Lawwell making it clear that the club did not wish to discuss this in view of the full meeting but would instead do so with the Celtic Trust privately.

“As the meeting moved on, the supporter organisations expected to hear of plans, suggestions or ideas that Celtic FC had about how they might meet supporter value, so that we could all air our views on any proposal.

“Peter Lawwell informed the meeting Celtic FC had no proposals to share with the meeting on how they will meet supporter value.

“The supporter organisations were collectively disappointed by the lack of progress, as it became apparent that this meeting would not be of the kind that the supporters had expected/assumed.

“Discussions continued for around 90 minutes, with little headway made. Celtic FC have confirmed that they intend to release season book renewals by the end of May.”

Fans reacted after seeing Celtic chief Peter Lawwell’s home set on fire as family slept inside…

@DMMacdonald96: That attack on Peter Lawwell’s house is shocking. Anyone who’d go to that length is absolute scum and they deserve whatever punishment they get.

@jamesbundy: Shocking. I hope Peter Lawwell and his family are okay, and aren’t too traumatised. Those responsible should have the rule book thrown at them.

@glasheartglow1: Horrendous! What the heck is going on in Scotland?!

@mikedailly: Words fails me. How could anyone be so wicked and endanger a family like that?

@Blair207: I’m afraid the descent of Scottish society into a very dark place is being accelerated by division being stoked up by people who should know better.

@BrianMc81: A horrible, cowardly act. Find them and lock them up.

@CelticGossip: Those that targeted Peter Lawwell’s house and family must be caught and the full force of the law brought down on them. A very sinister event. HH

@ThomasH4nlon: I’ve moaned about Peter Lawwell, I’ve written to the club on countless occasions but this is nothing more than an act of evil. I hope he and his family are ok

@FrankyRN51: This attack on Peter Lawwell at his own home with his family there is acutely sinister and evil. I don’t like the guy. But this shit. Sick and twisted. They will find out who did it.

@carlowbhoy: Hopefully Peter and his family are safe and well. Regardless of who the perpetrators are of this heinous attack, I hope they get caught and the full rigors of the Law is applied to them. There is no excuse for these sort of attacks.

@jaimelawson08: This is absolutely sickening that some scum can do something like this & I 🙏 they catch whoever as done this vile attack. Glad peter & his family are ok. Once A beautiful game is sadly left behind in today’s society. Action is needed ASAP before families lose lives 😢

Fans continued to react as photos of Celtic chief Peter Lawwell’s home set on fire goes viral…

@BhoyMWD: Shocking. Hopefully those responsible for endangering the lives of the Lawwell family are caught and dealt with swiftly. No one deserves this to happen to them. What is wrong with people that they feel this is acceptable in any walk of life?

@MartinBisland: Why? Absolutely disgraceful 🤬

@PaulSuth: Fucking hell. That is horrendous.

@__lippylipez__: Give my regards to Peter and his family in this awful time. The perpetrators need to be apprehended and given lengthy jail sentences.

@scott_melville: Horrific thing to happen 😡

@Scotty_Bhoy26: Attempted murder! Get them locked up! 😡🍀🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@R4tser: Shameful. And over a game of football. About time these people got a life. Hopefully they are caught & sent down for a long time. Nobody deserves this kind of thing to happen to them. Especially not over a game. Hope Peter & family are all ok.

@drmcq2013: Bloody terrible no need for this

@1967lisbonlions: Thoughts are with him and his family. No need for that behaviour. They could have been killed

@Superfryguy: Absolutely awful. Society is at breakdown levels.

@ThomasJohn_JT: Absolutely vile and disgusting and I don’t care who is responsible but they need locked up! So angry waking up reading this today! Shocking! Peter my sincerest apologies to you and your family this just should not happen ever!

@scatter1888: It’s only football FFS!!

@jamesy0891: Whatever you think of him there is no excuse for this and you have to worry about the mindset of somebody who’s head this even enters. Who would bring their family into this madness.

@toptim77: This is awful, hope they are alright. What a few days we’ve seen in Scotland since the weekend – wild and dangerous.

@stephenness1: Shocking this can happen to anyone regardless or you’re opinion of them, for those that are tweeting about a manger clearly lack respect and a bit of class

@WalterW26948759: Absolutely horrific. Glad him and his family are ok

@QtherQ: How bleak is this 😕

@BhoyIndy: Hope the scumbags get caught and hope Peter and his family are safe and well 🍀

@Ryzo_1888: Absolutely shocking!! @policescotland lock up whoever done this

@weekev1888: No person deserves this barbaric behaviour from individuals.

@ConMcQ: This is utterly horrific. Whoever is behind this needs brought to justice. Hope that the Lawwell family are being properly looked after and supported today.

@TheInfamousJnr: This is sickening and I hope to god they catch whoever did this! Throw the book at them!! No room in football for this kind of act!!

@_crawfordcallum: This is fucking vile… and speaks to a much wider issue within the Celtic support of a growing extremism.

@FezzaFPS: Absolutely bang out of order this. Sub human behaviour and I hope whoever did this is locked up for a very long time.

@Shonniebhoy: What, in the name of fuck, is wrong with some people?? This is utterly incomprehensible. I hope the arseholes get caught and get a severe custodial sentence. This is truly sad. Thoughts go out to Mr Lawwell and his family. Just unbelievable behaviour.

@the_stormlands: Absolutely disgraceful. Very lucky that nobody died as a result. Whoever is responsible needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law possible.

@aboyd1888: What the fuck is wrong with people