£10k reward offered after family escape arson attack

£10k reward offered after family escape arson attack

5 August 2020

A £10,000 reward is being offered for information which leads to the conviction of the person responsible for a terrifying arson attack in Newcastle last week which forced a young family to flee for their lives.

A Mercedes car parked outside a house in the Shimna Road area was set on fire and completely destroyed, while two windows in the property were smashed around 3am on Thursday of last week.

Firefighters who rushed to the scene have been praised for their swift response. The heat from the car blaze so intense that it started to melt window frames in the bungalow.

Three young girls who were at home with their parents managed to escape unharmed via a back door and were lifted over a neighbour’s wall to the safety of a neighbouring property.

The grandmother of the children – who were all sleeping downstairs when the fire started – is offering the cash reward which leads to the conviction of the “evil person” who targeted her grandchildren’s home.

Taking to social media, she said if anyone knows anything about the “heartless person” who started the blaze they should contact the authorities, anonymously if they have to.

She said while her grandchildren and their parents “have never had any reason to feel afraid” all that changed during the early hours of last Thursday.

“The family car was set ablaze outside a bedroom window and the heat and smoke was suffocating,” said the grandmother.

“The heat hit the children as it began to melt the house windows, with the little girls escaping the house through the back door and a laneway where they were thrown over a neighbour’s wall so the blaze wouldn’t engulf them.”

The woman described her grandchildren as happy, revealing that while they did have not a care in the world, that has been taken from them as they begin trauma counselling. 

“What person could go about their life normally knowing that they tried to endanger innocent children whilst they slept,” the grandmother asked.

“I’m praying and thanking God every day that physically the children and their mummy and daddy escaped miraculously without burns. 

“Please pray that the evil person who tried to hurt these little girls answers to us all as to why they set a car ablaze outside their bedroom window.”

Thanking the emergency services for their fast response, the grandmother said that “it just doesn’t bear thinking about” what could have happened to the children last week.

She said she was offering £10,000 to the person whose information leads to the conviction of whoever was responsible for the fire.

He grandmother added: “This arsonist must be stopped.  Children and families should be safe. My heart is very sore, but I have gratitude that they survived.”

The incident has been condemned by South Down MLA Emma Rogan.

She said: “Thankfully no one was injured in this incident which must have been a frightening experience for those affected. I condemn this attack and call on anyone with any information to bring it forward to the police.” 

Mournes councillor, Willie Clarke described the arson attack as “despicable”.

He said for anyone to target the home of a young family in such a way was “crazy and unbelievable”.

Cllr Clarke said the family has been left “deeply shocked” by the ordeal and paid tribute to the emergency services who were able to save the home.

He added: “When firefighters arrived the family car was a ball of flames just feet from the front door of the family’s home. Thankfully they were able to escape the inferno and I would appeal to anyone with information to bring it to the police.”

Police investigating the incident also believe that a tragedy was averted and  have issued an appeal for information.

They are keen to hear from anyone who can assist them with their enquiries and say the consequences of what could have happened in the resort do not bear thinking about.

Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have noticed an suspicious activity in the Shimna Road area during the early hours of last Thursday to contact them on the non-emergency 101 number, quoting reference number 141 of July 30.

Information can also be passed anonymously using the confidential Crimestoppers number 0800 555111.