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Police probe 'motiveless' arson attack

A "COWARDLY" arson attack could have led to the death of an innocent 27-year-old woman, according to police.

A bottle containing a flammable fluid together with a lighted match was thrown through the young woman's letter box in Epsom Road, Leyton.

Flames quickly engulfed the hallway of the house, causing severe damage to the door and partial damage to a stairway.

Quick-thinking neighbours heard the disturbance and managed to break into the house and quickly extinguish the flames. The woman was shocked but escaped without injury.

The attack seems to have been totally unprovoked, and police are baffled as to why anybody would want to commit such a crime.

DC Tony Ginn, leading the investigation, said: "The woman knows of nobody with a vendetta against her and she was very shaken up by the incident.

"When I heard about the crime, I was shocked that anybody would do such a thing. She is an extremely pleasant young woman who works within the community at a Focus shop in Ilford.

"This was a cowardly crime carried out late at night. It could easily have led to the death of this woman and others in next door houses. I can only congratulate the neighbours who helped to put the fire out."

Anyone with any information should contact DC Ginn on 8345 3154, or, alternatively, call the Leyton crime desk on 8529 8666.

 Following the blaze, firefighters at Leyton want to remind householders about the importance of checking their smoke alarms.

They say: "The battery should be tested once a year and the alarm every month by pressing the test button.

"Remember, a smoke alarm is useless if it doesn't have a battery or the battery is flat. Smoke alarms can save a life."

9:04am Saturday 20th September 2003