Pensioners' fears as arsonists are yet to be caught almost six months after horror blaze at their home
and live on Freeview channel 276
Former police superintendent Frank Watson, 84, and wife Ann, 81, were asleep at home when they were woken by granddaughter Victoria Watson, 30, and her partner at the time Tony Taylor, who had been staying in a room at the front of the house.
Frank’s Hyundai Tuscon car had been set alight on the driveway of their home in Spire Hollin, Peterlee, with the flames – as high as 30 ft – spreading to a caravan and their house.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdFirefighters on the scene within minutes after they were alerted by Victoria and a neighbour.
Frank and Ann, who are parents of four and grandparents of seven, were helped into their back garden while their pets, cat Bronson, three-legged poodle Holly and a hamster, were also rescued from the bungalow, which has been their home since it was built in 1973.
Now, months on from the blaze, which broke out at 12.05am on Monday, November 18, the family has made their own appeal to help find who put their lives at risk and left extensive damage to the home.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdInitial repairs had started but have since been put on hold due to the coronavirus outbreak, with the couple left with just a few pieces of furniture to use in the meantime.
Frank, who served with Durham Constabulary and finished his career with Cleveland Police, said: “We’re both scared, in my mind it was near enough attempted murder.
“What I want to see is them in court and then sent to prison.
“If anyone knows anything, they should get in touch with the police to put us out of our misery.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“It’s unbelievable the trauma and we keep thinking, are they going to come back and finish off the job.
"The work on the house had to stop because of Covid-19 and I accept they had to, but they had just got started and now I can’t see us getting back to normal this year.
“We have no idea whatsoever about why this happened.”
Victoria, who serves as a Peterlee Town Councillor alongside her father Andrew, who owned the caravan, has backed her grandfather’s appeal for help.
She thanks the fact that she is a light sleeper and heard noises which alerted her to the fire, giving them a chance to escape.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdShe said: “If anyone knows anything, they should do the right thing and get in touch with the police or Crimestoppers. We want them caught so they never do it again.
“This was two old pensioners, not to mention us. It could have been four deaths.”
A spokeswoman for Durham Constabulary added: “A joint investigation was launched by the police and the fire service into the cause of the fire, which remains ongoing.
“Anyone with any information on the incident should call FireStoppers on 0800 169 5558.”
A message from the Editor:
