Home torched as dad and girl sleep

May 1 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

AN investigation is under way today after a father and his teenage daughter escaped a fire which ripped through their home in a suspected arson attack.

The 36-year-old man and his 16-year-old daughter, of Seaton Place, Walker, Newcastle, were woken by the smoke alarm at about 12.45am.

The pair jumped from a first-floor window on to a mattress and were taken to Newcastle General Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

Police said their injuries were minor and they were released from hospital later in the morning.

It is thought the blaze began when an accelerant was poured through their letterbox.

Yesterday the street remained cordoned off and some of the residents were unable to return to their homes.

One neighbour, a mother of two who did not want to be identified, said: “I was in bed and heard the sound of shattering glass and could smell smoke. I thought it was my house that was on fire and I ran out into the street to see what was going on. I saw a man out in the street with his daughter. She was in her pyjamas.

“Then I saw flames bursting from the doors and windows of the house. I phoned the fire brigade and they were here within minutes, but by that time the house had already gone up.

“The man and his daughter had only been there a few months. I was evacuated from my house as the fire came through the walls and damaged the electrics. My whole house was filled with smoke.

“My kids had to go and stay with their uncle and I’ve had to stay with a friend. I still haven’t been allowed back in to get the kids’ school uniforms. It’s amazing nobody has been hurt.”

Fossway Fire Station watch manager David Linsley said: “When we arrived at the scene the street was shrouded in smoke and we couldn’t even see the houses. Flames were licking from the doors and windows of the house and this was a very severe fire. The man and girl got out, thanks to a smoke alarm which had woken them up when the fire started.

“If they had not had an alarm fitted, without a doubt they would be dead. An investigation is now under way into the cause of the fire.” Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service group manager Dave Brown said: “There is no doubt in my mind that the smoke alarms saved their lives.

“If they had not had a working smoke alarm, I am confident we would have been dealing with the tragic death of two people this morning.”

Detective Inspector Lee Buzzeo, of Newcastle area command, said: “We are treating the fire as arson and a forensic investigation is under way, along with house-to-house inquiries. I would appeal to anyone with information about the circumstances, or who saw any suspicious activity at the premises, to contact police.”