The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Couple left living in fear after caravan set ablaze
Crime: Jean and Robert believe family could have been killed in ferocious fire
A Glenrothes couple have been left terrified in their own home after a firebug caused £25,000 worth of damage by torching their caravan.
Jean Smith and Robert Love were woken in the early hours of Sunday as the ferocious blaze destroyed the vehicle which was parked outside their Megginch Place property.
The fire engulfed a nearby fence, wheelie bin, garage door and rabbit hutch before the intense heat smashed a bedroom window during the 40-minute blaze.
Ms Smith, 57, told how she is now unable to eat or sleep as she worries the mindless individual behind the fire may return.
The couple have also been forced to cancel a caravan holiday to Forfar which was due to take place at the end of the week with their two-year-old grandson.
She said: “We got woken up by the firemen in the early hours of the morning and obviously the caravan was fully ablaze at that time.
“We had just filled it with everything ready to go away to Forfar at the end of the week. It’s normally stored up there but we had brought it down to prepare for going away.
“What a mistake that was. Our spare bedroom window shattered with the heat as well. We’re now trying to organ- ise a skip and a glazier to try get it all sorted.
“It’s not even a year old, we’ve only had it since August last year and have only used it a couple of times. It was £18,000 and we paid in cash and now it’s gone in smoke.”
The tearful home owner added: “It could’ve been worse, we could have had friends staying over and sleeping in the caravan.
“They don’t know if the fire was set from outside or inside but the suspicions are that they’ve broken a window and set fire to the bed or something.
“I could have had my grandchildren staying over in the spare room and the window could have gone right in. It’s not that far from the bed.
“Thankfully the rabbit was OK and somehow managed to survive but the whole top level of her hutch was destroyed.
“We haven’t had much sleep since. By the time everyone was away on Sunday, it was 5am and we thought we’d try get back to bed but we wouldn’t.
“Your sleeping and eating is affected and you’re constantly listening, asking yourselfwhatthelittlestofnoisescouldbe.
“Our garage is not secured, the door and the roof has been damaged on that. There was a motorbike trailer that was in there and that’s melted too. It was brand new, not even used.
“We’ve now had to take more time off work to try and get this sorted and I’m constantly worrying that they’re going to come back.
Partner Robert, 54, added: “I would say that there is about £25,000 worth of damage all in. We’ve had a really good response on Facebook from everyone offering their caravans and stuff.
“All the neighbours have come out to check and see that we’re OK. They’re checking CCTV in the area so hopefully they catch them.
Detective Constable Gavin Alcorn, of Glenrothes CID, said “I would appeal for members of the public with any information relating to this incident to contact 101, quoting reference number PS-20180429-0527”
svesty@thecourier.co.uk