Gang war carnage HEATS UP as firebomb maniacs target notorious Scots hood’s family

FIREBOMB maniacs torched three cars and vandalised a home as  Scotland’s raging gang wars reignited  – sparking fears a new wave of violence is brewing.

Officers working under Operation Portaledge are understood to be investigating a fresh attack at a property in Tranent, near Edinburgh.

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Police are now hunting the firebomb maniacs who struck just after midnight

Edinburgh gangster Michael Heeps is serving 23 years for his key role in a wave of violence

The home is linked to the brother of Michael Heeps, 35, who is serving 23 years for his role in an organised crime mob.

Police are now hunting the shady figures who struck just after midnight yesterday morning – leaving three motors burnt-out wrecks.

Sources claim thugs tried to force their way inside the house in a terrifying ambush before torching nearby motors.

An insider said: “Theses guys turned up under cover of darkness and tried to boot the door in.

“They didn’t manage to force their way inside but set fire to cars and then bolted.

“It looked as though this gang war had run out of steam but this is a worrying sign – the whole thing could kick off again.”

Officers last night confirmed the at large suspects pounced on the terraced home before fleeing into the night.

Nobody was harmed in the brazen attack that came in the wake of a wave of incidents between rival mobs in Edinburgh and Glasgow last year.

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Cops have so far nicked 63 people as part of an ongoing investigation into the worst explosion of gangland violence seen in years.

We told how the same Jackson Way property – home of Heeps’ brother Jed Heeps, 38 – was targeted in June last year in the thick of a raging turf war linked to mob bosses based in Dubai.

The day before shots were fired at another home linked to a gangster whose face was later slashed by hoods in Thailand.

Thug Arran Reid, 27, fired a gun through the window at Walter Scott Avenue, Edinburgh, on June 12.

Machete yob Reid was jailed for eight years and four months after he also admitted fracturing the  skull of David McMillan –  a pal of caged cocaine kingpin Mark Richardson.

Reid is one of four hoods jailed so far over the gangland feud.

Footsoldiers operating under the name Tamo Junto claimed responsibility as part of an underworld war instigated by Ross ‘Miami’ McGill.

McGill, 31 of East Kilbride, is a former Union Bears footie ultra who blamed associates of  Richardson, 38, for ripping him off in a £500,00 drug deal using fake cash.

McGill was based in Dubai at the time the chaos kicked off in March before he was booted out of the country – his whereabouts currently unclear.

We told how Michael Heeps was among six brutes convicted last year over a campaign of terror that included machete murder bids and torching jail guards’ cars.

Heeps got 23 years in August at the High Court in Glasgow.

Detective Superintendent Paul Grainger said at the time: “The use of violence is always completely unacceptable.

“Although these were all targeted attacks, those involved showed absolutely no regard for the communities affected.

“These incidents could have had much more serious consequences and this behaviour will not be tolerated.

“These sentences show Police Scotland’s commitment to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce’s national strategy.

“I want to make it clear to those intent on being involved in serious and organised crime that we will not give up and you will be brought to justice.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said last night: “Around 12.30am on Thursday we received a report of a vandalism and a vehicle fire at a property on Jackson Way, Tranent.

“Emergency services attended and there were no reports of any injuries.

“Enquiries are at an early stage into the vandalism and wilful fire raising.”

Ross ‘Miami’ McGill launched the gang war last year over a drug deal gone wrong

Caged Edinburgh kingpin Mark RichardsonCredit: The Sun Glasgow

Arran Reid was jailed last year over a machete attack linked to the gang war