PETROL BOMBED!
We’re lucky to be alive, say Phoenix couple after argument over parking
APHOENIX couple feel lucky to be alive after a neighbour allegedly threw a home-made petrol bomb at their house on Monday evening after an argument over parking bays at Woodglaze Complex.
Sunitha Nair, a post basic pharmacist, and her husband, Kevin, a machine operator, were relaxing on their couch watching television when a noise startled them.
“At first I thought it was a gunshot but when my husband opened the front door, flames began coming into our home.
“Thankfully, our neighbours rushed to our premises and doused the fire with water,” said Nair.
She said they smelt petrol and saw the remains of a petrol bomb lying in front of their property.
“It looked as if the petrol was poured in a beer bottle and a wick was placed inside.
“Had it hit our window instead of the wall, we would have been severely burnt or dead. It was a frightening experience. We could not sleep from fear and the stench from the petrol is lingering in our home.”
A suspect, a married father of two, was arrested.
He is scheduled to appear in the Phoenix Magistrate’s Court today (Wednesday).
According to Nair, the problem with the neighbour has been longstanding.
“We life in a complex in Woodglaze and each flat is allocated a parking bay. Our neighbour has about five cars and repeatedly parks them around our bay, making it difficult for us to park.
Apologised
“Because I work until late, I sometimes have to go to his flat and ask him to move his cars out of the way, so I can get into my parking.
“We had an argument on Sunday over this issue but my husband went to him afterward and apologised as he did not want any animosity to exist between them.
“However, other neighbours heard him complaining about us on Monday afternoon. He said he planned to petrol bomb our house and car. We did not think he would actually do this and risk our lives, but he proved us wrong.”
Nair said they were grateful to be alive.
Since the incident, the couple said the suspect’s friends approached and begged them to drop the charges.
“We cannot do this. Many items in our home have been damaged and we have inhaled dangerous fumes. The repercussions of his actions are great and if he is innocent, then he must prove himself in a court of law.” She said they were living in fear. The Divisional Commander at Umhlanga Fire Station, Narend Birjalal, said petrol bombs were dangerous and could have deadly effects, especially if lit in a flat or complex.
“The units are closely situated and the fire can spread easily if not contained. Also, the people from adjacent units will have no option but to evacuate. The carbon monoxide fumes are harmful especially to the elderly and children.”
He added that hurling a petrol bomb into a flat or complex affected all those around, not only the person intended to be harmed.
The manager for the Starwood Group that oversees the complex, Pravashkumar Inderjeeth, said: “Woodglaze Trading is appalled by such behaviour by the perpetrators. This is unacceptable in our society.
Attempted murder
“The company will take every step necessary to evict the guilty party responsible for such action. The safety and wellbeing of our tenants are of utmost importance to us.”
Police spokesman Colonel Jay Naicker confirmed that a 27-year-old man was arrested and charged with attempted murder and malicious damage to property.
“On July 21 at about 10.30pm a petrol bomb was allegedly thrown into a house in Eastbury, Phoenix. The motive for the attack is unknown at this stage.”