A CAR owner spoke of his distress today after his vehicle was left gutted by a suspected arson attack.The red Volvo belonging to Patrick Whiteman, of Stowmarket, was wrecked while parked outside his home when it was set alight.

A CAR owner spoke of his distress today after his vehicle was left gutted by a suspected arson attack.

The red Volvo belonging to Patrick Whiteman, of Stowmarket, was wrecked while parked outside his home when it was set alight.

Mr Whiteman said he was lucky the blaze had not spread to his house.

But the 48-year-old, who lives with his girlfriend Elizabeth Broomfield in Drake Close, was angry that his car had been targeted.

“I felt angry and drained after it happened. The fire could have burned my house as well.

“What have I done to deserve this? My girlfriend is devastated.”

Mr Whiteman, who works for a car recovery breakdown firm in Great Blakenham and also takes scrap cars to a yard, was asleep when the fire began between 12.30am and 12.45am on Tuesday.

The blaze woke him and he called the fire brigade, who arrived quickly, followed by the police, who told him it was arson, he said.

“I saw a ball of flames when I looked out of the window.”

Mr Whiteman believes the window of the 1989 car was smashed before an arsonist poured petrol inside it.

He had recently paid for the Volvo to have an MOT check and he had also updated its insurance cover. The vehicle had a market value of about £500, he said.

Mr Whiteman said he did not know who had set fire to the car.

A police spokesman confirmed they were investigating a suspected arson attack. They have been carrying out house to house enquiries in the area.

Anyone with information should call Pc Jim Dale of Stowmarket police on 01284 774100.

Last month arsonists torched five cars in Woodbridge, forcing two people to flee their home.