Family’s terror at hands of arsonists (From Gazette)

Family’s terror at hands of arsonists

8:00pm Friday 12th March 2010 in

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A FAMILY was left terrified after arsonists poured petrol through their letterbox.

The incident happened yesterday at about 3.30am, while a couple and their grown-up son slept upstairs.

The woman of the house was woken by a noise at the front door of their home, in Bishop Road, Colchester.

It is believed she thought yobs were urinating through their letterbox.

She made her way downstairs and saw people running away.

As she opened the front door, the woman realised a van parked in the driveway, right beside the front door, had been set fire to.

She returned indoors and slammed the door behind her, before dialling 999. Police rushed to the scene and tried unsuccessfully to tackle the blaze with a fire extinguisher. They told the occupants to stay in the house with the door shut.

Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus eventually managed to put out the fire.

The woman said she was too upset to speak to the Gazette.

A joint police and fire investigation is now under way.

Joe Hassell, Colchester fire station officer, said: “It is fortunate the woman was a light sleeper, because this house did not have smoke alarms.

“If the arsonists had set light to the petrol, then I don’t like to think of the extremely serious situation we could have been facing.

“We will be going round to fit alarms for them, but would use this opportunity to remind people of the importance of smoke alarms.

“They act as an early warning system and could prevent an incident becoming even more serious.”

Detectives at Colchester CID are investigating the incident.

They have appealed for anyone who witnessed anyone acting suspiciously to call 0300 3334444.