Yesterday (23rd Dec) we were woken up at 6am by the sound of a fire engine across the road at our neighbours' house (John & Daphne). Flames were leaping from the back of the building and the firemen had just started to smash their way in, and thick back smoke poured out.

It was a huge relief to see that their car wasn't in the drive or garage and another neighbour confirmed that they'd actually gone to visit one of their sons and his family 30 miles away overnight, so nobody was in the house. The alarm was raised by their 3 year old girl in the attached semi-detached house. She'd woken up and gone to tell her mum about the smell in her room (the smoke/fire was working its way through from next door). The parents (Phil & Carrie), their two small children and their 12 year old nephew who was staying quickly left the house, phoned 999 and the fire brigade soon arrived. They say if the little girl hadn't woken up when she did, the whole family would have been dead within 10-15 minutes.

It took 3 fire crews to put the fire out. John & Daphne's house, though still standing, is pretty much gutted inside. The couple of rooms that aren't are, naturally, severely smoke damaged. There's talk that the whole house may have to be demolished and rebuilt. After the forensic team had finished, we walked through the ashes on the ground floor. The Christmas turkey, left out in a roasting tin to defrost, sits in the ruins of what was the kitchen. "It's cooked now", said John.

It appears that the house was broken into from the back and that the arsonist/burglars drank all the alcohol they could find while ransacking the house before they set fire to it and left.

John & Daphne, who both retired a few years ago, have lived here for 30 years. Their house was lovely, and they, like most people in the street, are excellent neighbours. Phil and Carrie were still settling into their new home having only moved in a couple of months ago (their house has also been left with much smoke damage). The whole neighbourhood is in shock, and so angry. Naturally, everyone is offering what support they can, and a collection has been held, but one still feels so helpless. The predominant feelings at the impromptu meeting, held at a neighbours house last night, were horror and anger, and frustration in knowing that even if the Police find those responsible, the arsonists might be 'let off' with a warning by a judge, especially if they turn out to be young (e.g. under sixteen).

Sorry to bother the Mudcat with this, but it helps to 'talk' about it within an objective forum. It's Christmas day tomorrow, but it's certainly going to be a subdued one in our neighbourhood. I just feel sick, and can't stop thinking what those families are going through…and what might have happened.