The innocent victims – a couple aged in their 50s – said it was fortunate that one of the cars did not explode from the flames as it ‘could easily have caused serious injuries and even fatalities’
Flames engulfed two vehicles parked on a driveway of a home in Handsworth(Image: Bearded Broz)
A traumatised family told how they fled their Birmingham home after their cars were torched by arsonists ‘targeted in a case of mistaken identity’.
Shocking footage shows a hooded offender pouring petrol over two vehicles and setting them alight on the driveway of a property in Handsworth just after 3.20am on Monday, March 9.
Another culprit films the shocking attack from a waiting car, with footage later shared on social media.
The innocent victims – a couple in their 50s – said it was fortunate their cars did not explode from the flames as it ‘could easily have caused serious injuries and even fatalities’.
READ MORE: Police hunt arsonists who set cars alight outside Birmingham home
Their family has been unwittingly targeted after captions on publicly circulating videos referenced the intended target by a different name and location, with no connection to their home.
The dad-of-two, who asked not to be named, told BirminghamLive: “This has been an extremely traumatic experience for my family.
“My wife and I are in our late 50s and have lived quietly in this area for many years, simply going about our lives and keeping to ourselves. To wake up and find our home targeted in this way was deeply frightening and traumatic.
“In the early hours of Monday morning, two individuals deliberately set fire to vehicles parked on the driveway of our family home. We immediately ran out of our home, with my wife even spraining her ankle in the process.
“It has been confirmed from videos circulating publicly that our home was targeted in a case of mistaken identity, with captions referencing a completely different name and road that have no connection to our home.
“Our friends and neighbours came outside in the middle of the night while our driveway was ablaze. It was a frightening scene for everyone involved. If even one of the vehicles had exploded, there could easily have been serious injuries and even fatalities.
“Thankfully, no one was physically harmed, but the incident has left us, our daughter and son very shaken.”
The cars were destroyed. While the front of the property was scorched and the front windows were shattered.
A West Midlands Police spokesman told BirminghamLive: “We are investigating after two cars were set alight on the driveway of a house in Handsworth early on 9 March.
“Thankfully, no one was hurt, and we remain in contact with those living at the address.
“Officers are also carrying out reassurance patrols in the area, as we understand the concern this has caused.
“Anyone with information should contact us on 101, or via Live Chat on our website, quoting crime reference 20/172531/26.”
A West Midlands Fire Service spokesman added: “Shortly before 3.30am on Monday, March 9, we responded to reports of a fire in Handsworth.
“Two fire engines and a brigade response vehicle attended, crewed by firefighters from Handsworth and Aston fire stations.
“This involved two cars that had been deliberately set on fire.
“Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the fire using hose reels, preventing it from spreading. It was confirmed to be out at 3.50am. Fortunately, there were no casualties.”