Heartbreak after arson attack

Published on 8th November 2007 in News

A woman from Old Goole and her two children were left devastated at the weekend when a suspected arson attack in their back garden wreaked irreparable damage on a set of conifers and a child's trampoline.

Fire fighters were called to the property in Wroots Avenue shortly after 8.30pm on Saturday, after a neighbour saw that conifers in the back garden had been set alight.

A hose-reel jet was used to douse the flames, but not before they had spread to a children's giant trampoline, damaging half of it.

The woman, who lives at the property with her two children, does not wished to be named but told the Goole Times this week that she was convinced that the incident was caused deliberately, after she was told by a nearby resident that two children were seen standing at the gate to her back garden while another child went in the garden.

"I left the house an hour before the fire brigade was called to my home," she said.

"A gas canister was near to where the fire took place - if it had been another ten minutes, then that could have gone up as well."

The woman added: "It is heartbreaking for my little ones because they have saved up all their birthday and pocket money to buy the trampoline - and now it is ruined.

"This has left me feeling nervous."

A spokesperson for Humberside Police confirmed this week that the incident was being treated as arson. Officers believe that the offender gained entry to the back garden by climbing over a side gate, and left the gate - which is normally locked - open after starting the fire.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious, or who knew someone who returned home smelling of smoke, is urged to contact Humberside Police on 0845 6060222, quoting crime reference number 1529856.

Pictured above is the damage caused to the back garden and the child's trampoline.

(08-11-65 GT)