Three In Hospital After Glasgow Gang Fight

6 June 2016, 06:18 | Updated: 6 June 2016, 06:20

Three men have been taken to hospital following a "targeted attack'' which left vans ablaze on the streets of a Glasgow suburb.

Witnesses described how the Frankfield Road, Cardowan, became a "war zone'' after an altercation erupted between groups of males.

One boy was seen "covered in blood'' while two vans were burnt out on the residential road following the "brazen'' disorder on Sunday afternoon.

All three of the men are in a stable condition, Police Scotland said.

A police spokesman said he thought the disorder was "more likely to be rival gangs fighting'' than anything related to terrorism.

Emergency vehicles and a police helicopter were scrambled to the scene, with one passer-by posting a picture of the gridlock to social media, adding it was "like a war zone''.

Detective Superintendent Stephen Grant said: "Officers are continuing inquiries after three men were left injured in what we understand is a targeted attack in the Cardowan area. These three men are in a stable condition.

"This was a brazen incident on Frankfield Road, involving a number of vehicles being set alight

"A substantial police response followed the initial reports.''

Local resident Frank Kerr, 59, a slinger banksman, also saw the aftermath and said: "I saw a boy sitting in a paramedic's van. He was covered in blood, but I didn't see what happened to him.

"It's very rare for this neck of the woods.

"There was a fire at the end of the street, and I heard tyres blowing up. There were police, fire brigade, ambulances, tow trucks, you name it, everything was here.''

He said he couldn't confirm speculation on social media that people had been stabbed or shot during the incident. "I didn't hear any gunshots, just tyres blowing up with the heat,'' he added.

An eyewitness, who did not wish to be named, said he saw two vans on fire with flames "as high as a house''. He said: "I was washing my car and I saw high flames and smoke, then the fire brigade came.''

Police sought to reassure residents in the area, saying a "significant'' police presence was still in place and that they were conducting door-to-door inquiries.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: "We got called out to a van on fire. The incident has been handed over to the police.''

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the 101 number or information can be passed via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be maintained.