Fartown firework attack on property of 88-year-old pensioner
Nov 6 2010 by Kevin Core, Huddersfield Daily Examiner
Fartown firework attack on property of 88-year-old pensioner
AN 88-YEAR-OLD partially sighted woman was lucky to escape with her life after a firework was put through her letterbox.
She had to be helped by firefighters, who found her in bed as her Fartown home filled with smoke as the firework exploded.
And a fire chief who condemned the attack admitted: “The old lady could have died.”
Kirklees Divisional Commander Keith Robinson said: “Not only was the house filling with smoke, with the lady in bed, but there must have been a tremendous bang when the firework went off.
“Many fireworks, even the small ones, tell people to stand 10 metres away or even further, so imagine the effect in a small hallway. It must have been terrifying.
“It is an absolutely stupid, thoughtless act and we will do our best to catch who was responsible.
“People like this lady are respected members of society and deserve to be treated as such. We will take great delight in taking this yob to court.”
Huddersfield fire crews found the terraced property in Fartown filled with smoke, soon after 10.30pm on Thursday and had to go upstairs to comfort the lady, who is also bedridden.
Police were called to investigate the scene and are treating it as arson.
Watch commander Andy Wooler said the woman was very distressed, and that the incident could have resulted in tragedy.
He told the Examiner: “We left on an automatic fire alarm call out and when we got there it turned out that a lit firework had been put through the door.
“The house was full of smoke and it was extremely lucky that it didn’t set light to anything else in the house.
“The woman is bedridden and partially sighted so naturally it was a dangerous situation.
“The fire investigation unit and police have been at the crime scene and evidence is being gathered.
“I went upstairs and spoke to the lady who was in a state of shock but not suffering any other injuries.
“It’s disturbing to have a fire officer like myself suddenly walking into your room.
“A carer was able to come and reassure her.
“We made sure everything was OK and left at midnight.”
