South Gloucestershire | Archive | 2005 | October | 14
From the archive, first published Friday 14th Oct 2005.
A FAMILY in Winterbourne has been left shaken after becoming the victims of what they believe was a deliberate arson attack.
The Williams, who live in Parkside Avenue, were greeted by a sea of carnage last Thursday when the family caravan - parked in the garden of their home - was ravaged by fire. The family, feeling unnerved this week, suspect that the cause of the blaze was deliberate and down to one or a group of young arsonists.
Brian Williams, who has lived in the street with his wife Barbara for 14 years, told the Gazette that the family believes local youths are responsible for the suspected arson attack.
"The police came along to investigate the scene and could find no other cause of the fire," he said. "So we believe that it was stared deliberately by local children."
The blaze started in the family's caravan, which has been left a ruined and burnt-out shell, before it spread and ripped through the garage.
"Everything in the garage has been destroyed and we are just left with the four walls," added Mr Williams.
The 60-year-old is also angry that his daughter Donna, who is deaf, was left upset after seeing the carnage of the attack during a visit home from university.
Donna, 21, who is studying in Preston, had come home for the weekend to celebrate her parents' 29th wedding anniversary.
"It was not a nice thing for her to come home to," sighed Mr Williams. Police from Filton attended the scene on Thursday but forensic inquiries have proved inconclusive and no offenders have been caught.
It is believed the fire started in the early hours of last Thursday morning. Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008