AN ELDERLY woman has been left "badly shaken" after her home was set on fire while she slept.
Police are appealing for information after the 73-year-old was woken by the sound of her smoke alarm at 4am this morning [Tuesday April 2].
When she went into the hallway she discovered that the carpet at the front door was alight.
The incident, which is being treated as deliberate following an investigation by police and the fire service, occurred at a property in Woodstock Drive in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire.
The victim managed to get out of the door and alerted a neighbour who called emergency services.
She was treated at the scene by paramedics.
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Detective Constable Gerry Hattie from Wishaw CID: “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.
“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."
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DS Hattie added: “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.
“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."
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Anyone with information is asked to contact Wishaw CID via 101, quoting incident number 0323 of Tuesday 2 April 2019.
Alternatively you can call CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111 where details can be given in confidence.
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