A family living in Smethwick, Birmingham, for 20 years has been attacked by a man who tried to set their home ablaze with petrol he poured through their letter box on 13th September at 2 pm.
The mother Marzana Chowdhury was alerted of the arson attack when she heard what she thought was running water. She was at home with her 15 year-old son Taher Ahmed. She then saw a pipe being pushed through her letter box with liquid petrol pouring through it. She saw the man walking away and yelled, “What is the problem? Why are you doing that?”. Marzana stated that the man didn’t say anything and just left the site calmly after setting fire to the property. West Midlands Fire Service and police were on the scene in minutes following Marzana's call. They extinguished the blaze before the fire could spread to the rest of the house. Marzana and Taher escaped without injuries.
The family still has no idea why their home was attacked. Mr. Abdul Hannan (the father) seems perplexed, “I haven’t done anything to harm anybody. I have lived in Smethwick for 42 years and in this house for 20 years. We have no trouble with anybody, no cross words.” His three children, aged 15, 13 and 9, as well as the parents are living in constant fear of the arsonist now. Although the physical damage was limited, the family is still in shock over the seemingly motiveless attack.
Detectives investigating the attack have issued a public appeal to gather information about the man seen at the house.
