Barrhead News | News | OAP minister flees home after shock arson attack

Saturday, 22nd November, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 24th September, 2008 16:30

OAP minister flees home after shock arson attack

By Amanda Keenan

AN elderly minister and his wife have fled their home after evil thugs tried to kill them in an early morning fire attack

Robert and Janet Chalk, both 71, were asleep in their home when they were wakened by windows being smashed and the smell of smoke.

The thugs smashed poured petrol into the rooms - then set the remote house on fire.

Chillingly the evil thugs also tourched the front door in a bid to stop the couple escaping the blaze.

Police, three fire engines and an ambulance attended the scene after the alarm was raised at 4.15am last Friday.

Now CID could treat the blaze as attempted murder.

The terrified pensioners managed to flee their smoke filled bungalow. But are now too scared to return home amid fears that the attackers will return.

The pastor and his wife have stayed at their home in West Caplaw, Neilston, for 10 years and are now believed to be staying with relatives.

One neighbour said: “It is horrific they could have been killed.

“I just know they were asleep and that they were wakened up with a bang. They saw flames and managed to get out the back door.

“They were terrified and really lucky to make it out alive.”

“I only realised what happened when I heard police cars and fire engines racing up the road. The smoke was pouring out of the house and the flames were really high. I don’t know why someone would do this to an elderly couple. It is sick.”

Strathclyde Police said the minister and his wife managed to contact the emergency services before escaping from the back door of their bungalow.

A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service said fire fighters battled flames for an hour before bringing the fire under control. A joint investigation involving fire and police officials is now underway and an attempted murder investigation is set to follow.

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokeswoman said an ambulance attended after the elderly couple suffered smoke inhalation, but added that they did not require hospital treatment.

Detective Constable Fraser Booth, of Strathclyde Police is appealing for any information that could assist in tracing the person or persons responsible for the attack.

He said :“This fire occurred in a very remote area and could have resulted in more serious consequences had the couple not awakened when they did.

“I’d like to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity in the early hours of Thursday morning, and who may have seen someone or something suspicious, to contact the police.”

Anyone with information should call 0141 532 6200.

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