Arsonists sought after blaze at housing complex for elderly

Extinguishes fire at home

Arsonists started a fire at a sheltered housing scheme for elderly residents in Peterborough by shoving lit paper through a letterbox. The attack happened at secluded Martin Court, a scheme comprising of flats and bungalows in Fenbridge Road in Werrington just after 11pm last Thursday.

The fire was started when yobs pushed lit paper through a letterbox. Fortunately the resident’s smoke alarm sounded and the person was able to put out the blaze before fire crews arrived at the scene.

The door of the property was so badly damaged that it had to be replaced.

Nobody was injured in the incident and CCTV footage has been passed by Axiom Housing Association to the police.

The attack is not the first time that the scheme has been targeted - back in September 2010 residents suffered two arson attacks in the space of a fortnight. The latest attack is not believed to be linked.

Alan Lewin, chief executive of Axiom Housing Association, said: “Our first concern is always for that of our resi- dents’ safety and wellbeing. Fortunately on this occasion our fire safety doors protected the resident and their home, and a replacement door is all that was required.

“Howeve r, we wi s h t o stress the seriousness of arson and how it can blight a community. Those responsible need to be brought to justice and I would urge anyone who may have information to contact the police.”

I n 2010 t wo s i milar a r - son attacks took place at the housing scheme. In one incident yobs pushed a burning box through the window of a man’s flat. In the other attack a newspaper was shoved through a letterbox before being set on fire.

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said: “We have CCTV from the premises and inquiries into the incident are ongoing. No arrests have been made.”

Anyone with information about the incident should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Martin Court in Werrington, which was hit by arsonists