Gran's appeal to find fire hero

A DOG-loving grandmother is today appealing for help to find the man she believes saved her life and the lives of her precious pooches.

Lita Henderson, of Hurricane Place, in Ravenswood, Ipswich, said she would like to “shake the man by the hand” who woke her and her husband as fire threatened to engulf their and their neighbours' homes.

Mrs Henderson was asleep with her terrier breed dogs, Peanuts, 15, and Honey, 10, when she was woken by a banging on the door.

As reported in The Evening Star, joy-riding arsonists had set fire to vehicles parked next to the couple's home during the early hours of Saturday, April 14. The blaze caused £25,000 of damage.

The 53-year-old, who has difficulty walking due to back problems and angina, said: “My husband opened the door to him and he told us our car was on fire. He was already on the phone to the police.

“I'd like to thank him for saving our lives. It was only his quick thinking and knocking on our door and our neighbours' doors that stopped it turning into something much worse.

“If the car's petrol tank had exploded I doubt we would have a house left. Our car was a complete write off. If he hadn't been alert we don't know what could have happened.”

Grabbing her beloved dogs, Mrs Henderson fled the house and sought shelter with other neighbours.

She said: “My husband has health problems too and it was very stressful for us. My dogs mean everything to me, they are my babies. Thankfully we all managed to get out. We were very, very lucky.”

Praising emergency services, which arrived on the scene in minutes, Mrs Henderson said she believed the man she wants to thank lives in nearby Spitfire Close.

She said: “I have tried to find him but I have had no luck. I have no idea who he was. I believe he heard noises and saw the cars alight. I'd really like to thank him in person for what he did.”

Do you know the man who woke Mr and Mrs Henderson? Please call the Evening Star newsdesk on 01473 324788 or email starnews@eveningstar.co.uk