Police blast ‘cowards’ in petrol bomb attack on elderly couple

Eyewitnesses yesterday spoke of their shock after the pensioners, aged 81 and 78, escaped from their terraced house in their night clothes following the blaze.

The couple, who have lived in the street in York for 40 years and are now staying with relatives, escaped unhurt but are “deeply distressed and shocked” by their ordeal, according to North Yorkshire Police.

A flaming object was thrown through the living room window of the property in Lucas Avenue before landing inside the house and setting fire to furniture on Friday night. The intensity of the blaze melted the plastic window frames of the house, which has been left badly damaged and uninhabitable.

Relatives were at the property yesterday clearing out valuables and sentimental items, but declined to comment other than to say the couple are recovering.

Detectives have not ruled out the possibility that the couple were targeted in a case of mistaken identity after the petrol bomb was thrown into the house at about 9pm. A green plastic five-litre petrol can was recovered nearby which police believe may be connected to the blaze.

Police patrols have been stepped up in the area, and officers conducted house-to-house inquiries during the weekend.

Footage from closed circuit television cameras in the neighbourhood is being studied. Detectives have urged residents who have their own private surveillance cameras to come forward as their footage could also provide vital evidence.

Det Con Adam Heatlie, of York CID, said: “This was a callous and cowardly attack on an elderly couple, which has deprived them of their home of 40 years. The couple are obviously deeply distressed and shocked by what has happened. It could so easily have had tragic consequences. We do not know why anyone would target this property, at this stage we have not ruled out the possibility that this was a case of mistaken identity. Either way those responsible showed no concern for the outcome.”

Neighbours yesterday described the blaze, which saw acrid black smoke billowing out of the property. Robert Glenton, 72, has lived in the street for 45 years and is good friends with the elderly victims.

He said: “Everyone cannot quite believe what had happened, we are all shocked – especially when we learnt whose home had been attacked. They are a lovely couple and would never have said a bad word against anyone. It beggars belief that someone would do this to a couple who are in their 80s.”

Wendy Hart, 49, lives a few doors down from the couple with her two daughters, Charlotte, 21, and Hannah, 24, and Hannah’s fiancé, Paul Hunt.

Mrs Hart, a pharmacy assistant who has lived in Lucas Avenue for 21 years, said: “I smelt burning and when we went outside we saw the couple over the other side of the road in their night clothes. There was smoke billowing out of their house, it was a horrible smell. In many ways it is lucky it happened when it did, because who knows what would have happened if they had been upstairs asleep.

“They are such a nice couple, and they always stop for a chat if you see them in the street. It does make you worried that someone else’s home could now be targeted.”

Prayers were said during a Mother’s Day service yesterday at St Luke’s Parish Church in nearby Burton Stone Lane, where the elderly woman is a regular member of the congregation.

Parish priest, Dr Steve Benford, who visited the couple on Saturday, said: “They are fine physically, although emotionally they are extremely shaken up. The lady regularly attends services, and she is a loved member of both the congregation and the wider community.

“No-one can understand why their home was targeted – the couple have themselves no idea why either. It is a complete shock, and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time.”