Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
ARSON AFTERMATH HAS LEFT MUM DEVASTATED
Woman escapes death after thug torches home
THE daughter of a woman who escaped death in an arson attack on her home says her mum has been left petrified.
Lisa Hendricks’ mother was in her house in the Broadway area of West Belfast when it was targeted on Friday night.
The 58-year-old, who doesn’t wish to be named, was asleep when she heard the smoke alarm go off.
Police are treating the attack at around 9pm as “arson with intent to endanger life”.
Lisa told The Mirror: “She lives alone, she’s lived there all her life. We grew up in that house as kids, her mummy and daddy lived in it. It just doesn’t make sense. She’s absolutely petrified.
“It’s been an opportunist: Drinks, drugs, who knows? It’s just very random. It’s left my mummy extremely shook up.
“She was in the house from about 7.40pm. She put her messages away and then lay down for an hour.
“Mum dozed off and then heard a noise, which she thought was a car alarm before she realised it was her smoke alarm.
“And when she came down the stairs she saw a fella walking out the front door. It all happened so fast.
“She thought, ‘Is this really happening?’ Then she got to the bottom of the stairs and realised there was a fire. She phoned the fire brigade and got a neighbour.
“It all happened really quickly and the person just walked out the front door.
“Papers in the kitchen were set on fire and a pouffe in the living room.
“She left the kitchen window open when she got in and I think somebody has been creeping and saw the house in darkness with the windows open.
“There isn’t much burn damage but because of smoke damage the kitchen and living room are completely destroyed.
“It was a crime scene until Saturday and mummy will be making a statement. Police are treating it very seriously.”
Ms Hendricks said her mum has had to temporarily leave her home. She added: “She’s with my sister at the minute – she’s very independent and wants to go home but we have told her to wait until the house is secured and we’ll do what needs to be done.
“Broadway has the Beehive and the Red Devil bars – they were heaving so I’m hopeful someone saw something.”
PSNI Det Sgt Moffett said: “A woman who was in the house at the time escaped uninjured, although there was considerable smoke damage to the property.
“Detectives would like to speak to a male who was seen running away from the scene.
“He is described as being of medium build and height, wearing dark clothing and black trainers with white soles.
“Anyone with information should call police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 1316 of 1/9/17. “Information can also be given anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
WEST BELFAST YESTERDAY