Vehicle blaze causes delays on the M62

A DOZY arsonist accidentally set fire to his trousers when torching two cars in the early hours of yesterday.

Mum-of-two Laura Hunsley has told of the terrifying moment she awoke to find a man pouring petrol over two cars parked outside her home in Leymoor Road, Golcar.

The 30-year-old was asleep with her partner Sonny Milnes when at 2.15am a man approached their home.

He tried to break the window of one car using a rock and when this failed he poured petrol from a jerrycan over both a red Honda Civic and a white Volvo on the drive, causing damage to the paintwork on both.

But the suspect got more than he bargained for as the fire set his clothes alight.

Laura, who has two boys aged two and six, said she has no idea why the arsonist targeted their property where they have lived happily without incident for the past four years.

She said: “I don’t feel safe at home now, it doesn’t bear thinking about. I woke up as my partner was at the bedroom window shouting at him. I wondered what was going on.

“I looked out and on our CCTV you can see him running away with his trousers on fire.

“Sonny then used a hosepipe to put the fire out. Clearly, he is some low-life who has nothing better to do at 2am.”

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “Police were called at 2.55am today to a report of an arson attack by a suspect on two cars in Leyland Road in Golcar.

“An offence of arson has been recorded regarding the incident which happened at about 2.50am.

“Initial enquires are ongoing and anyone who has information is asked to contact Kirklees Police on 101 referencing crime number 13200591934.”

THERE were long delays on the M62 yesterday morning after a vehicle fire.

Two lanes were closed westbound between J23 for Huddersfield and J22 for Rishworth Moor at around 6.19am.

Congestion backed up to J24 for Ainley Top. Drivers were being warned of ‘severe’ delays.

Highways England Tweeted: “Please be aware that this M62 incident is causing delays of 30 mins above normal journey time for this time of day.

“There is approx. 3.5 miles of slow moving traffic on approach. Please allow plenty of extra time for your journey if you are travelling in the area.”

All lanes were reopened by 9.50am.