Firefighters foil arson attack

10:14am Wednesday 21st May 2008

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Quick-thinking firefighters in South Oxhey averted potential disaster last night when they foiled an apparent arson attack.

As they returned from dealing with a skip fire in Highlands members of the crew heard the wailing of a smoke alarm, just yards down the road, shortly after 11.30pm.

After stopping to investigate they discovered a blaze at the front door of a house, where burning paper had been shoved through its letter box.

Watch Commander Paul Gallagher, from Watford Fire Station, said: "It was lucky that we were in the area and heard the alarm or things could have been very different."

Police are investigating the attack.

The crew was returning from dealing with a blaze in a skip on the same road, just minutes before, which damaged a house.

Its intense heat melted guttering and cracked windows at the house it was placed outside. Ironically, the property is undergoing repairs to damage caused by fire.