Family feared for their lives in blaze drama
A MOTHER feared for her life after a car was set on fire outside her home.
Jennifer Davies, 39, was awake downstairs with her husband when they heard an almighty explosion outside their house.
The couple looked out of their window to see their neighbour’s car engulfed in flames.
Mrs Davies said it was the second incident of its kind in just a few days.
Jennifer said: “Usually me and my husband are asleep but for some reason we were both awake downstairs when we heard a huge explosion outside.
“We ran to the window to see that our neighbour’s car was on fire and we were horrified as the flames were reaching our house.
“My husband ran to the neighbour’s house to inform him that his car was on fire while I went to wake the kids up.
“They were fast asleep and oblivious and wouldn’t wake up. I was screaming that there was a fire and we chucked on whatever we could.
“We ran downstairs but couldn’t make it out the front as there was smoke inside the house.”
The terrifying incident occurred on Monday at around 10.45pm.
The couple say a similar attempt to torch their neighbour’s car happened a few days before – but the arsonist failed.
Jennifer stood in the garden with her kids while her husband informed their neighbour of the fire.
She feared for his life when he didn’t answer his phone as she waited for the emergency services to arrive.
She said: “I rang my husband five times but there was no answer.
“I feared for his life and I really didn’t know what to think. I had to be strong for my kids. It was a massive relief that we were even awake as we usually wouldn’t be.
“If we weren’t awake we would’ve been dead, as the fire would have ravaged the house had it gone on for two minutes longer. Nothing like this happens in this area, so it’s left us truly shocked.
“I haven’t been to work all week since and I’m really shaken up.”
Jennifer said her neighbour was too shaken to speak about the incident but hopes that someone in the community will come forward with some information.
A spokesman for South Wales Police, said: “Officers are investigating the circumstances surrounding a car fire which occurred in Cefn Road, Bridgend at 11pm on December 14.
“Nobody was injured but damage caused by the fire is currently being assessed.
“Residents were asked to leave a nearby property until it was brought under control.”
A 20 year-old man from Neath, arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage, has been released on police bail.
A spokeswoman for South Wales Fire and Rescue, added: “At 10.53pm on December 14, we received reports of a vehicle fire in Cefn Cribwr.
“Crews from Bridgend and Kenfig Hill station attended the scene and extinguished the fire.
“A stop message was received at 11.30pm.”
The spokeswoman said the fire spread to the porch but was put out.
Anybody who may have witnessed anything is urged to contact 101 quoting reference *453163. Alternatively they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.