An elderly woman had to flee her home in the dead of night when someone set fire to her front door
The 73-year-old discovered the blaze in her Wishaw flat after being awakened by a smoke alarm at 4am this morning.
Police say the quick thinking pensioner managed to escape through the burning door and alert a neighbour.
Detective Constable Gerry Hattie said the woman has been left terrified by the incident in Woodstock Drive.
He explained: “To deliberately start a fire at the door of an elderly woman is absolutely shocking and extensive enquiries are underway to find the despicable individual or individuals involved.
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“There is no apparent reason why this woman would have been targeted and thankfully she had a working smoke alarm to alert her to what was happening.
“She has been left extremely frightened and upset and I am calling on anyone who can assist us in finding out who is responsible to please come forward.
The woman's hall carpet was alight by the time she discovered the flames.
DC Hattie explained: "The victim’s upper flat is accessed directly by stairs outside the property and I would appeal to anyone who was in the area of Woodstock Drive in the early hours of this morning, and noticed anyone hanging around or acting suspiciously, to get in touch.
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“I would also urge any motorists with dashcams who were in the vicinity to check their footage in case they have captured anything which could be of significance, such as someone running away or a car driving at excess speed."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Wishaw CID on 101, quoting incident number 0323 of Tuesday, April 2.
Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where details can be given in confidence.
