This is the moment a hooded suspect appears to douse an old couple’s home with fuel before setting it, two cars, and almost himself, alight.
Footage shared on social media captures the alleged arsonist with a jerry can appearing to pour petrol on the bungalow on Beechfield, Newton Aycliffe before setting it alight, just before 11pm on Monday (March 3) night.
The fuel spreads to two cars, which were left burnt out, and the man has to jump back to avoid being engulfed by the flames himself.
Neighbour Trevor Adamson told the Echo he saw “flames everywhere” when he looked out of his window.
Police are treating the incident as arson and the elderly residents have been forced to move out.
Durham Police Inspector Sarah Honeyman, said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for the occupants of the property. Thankfully they did not suffer any physical injuries but have been understandably shaken by the incident.
“An investigation into the incident is ongoing, led by a team of detectives in South Durham CID with support from colleagues in the neighbourhood team.
“These officers have been carrying out house-to-house enquiries, reviewing CCTV footage, speaking to witnesses, and carrying out forensic examinations.
“We do not believe this was a random attack and do not believe there is a threat to the wider community.
In the CCTV clip the man wears dark clothing with his hood up and gloves on. He produces the jerry can out of what appears to be a bag for life.
The Echo understands burnt plastic matching the colour of the jerry can was found melted on the pavement at the scene just metres away.
The old couple living in the house targeted and neighbour Brian Wade managed to escape out the back. Both of their cars were destroyed and only Brian has been able to return home.
Mr Wade told the Echo yesterday: “I was sitting using my computer and heard a pop, not very loud, and just had this awful feeling. I opened the living room door and could see the glow through my front door and both cars were on fire.
“I called the fire brigade and they told me to, ‘get out the house!’.
“Next door are lovely people. They’re lovely neighbours - we’ve been here three years and they’re lovely people to have next door.
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“It’s quite a quiet little street. I don’t know why their house was targeted.”
The fire service said one crew from Darlington and another from Newton Aycliffe attended and left the scene at just after 12.50am in the early hours of Tuesday (March 4). Paramedics attended but the woman living in the house did not want to go to hospital, the North East Ambulance Service said.
Police previously asked anyone who might be able to help them, including anyone who recognises the man, to contact them on 101, quoting incident number 461 of March 3, or online at www.durham.police.uk. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers.
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