A Dewsbury councillor whose family were targeted in an arson attack says his family is “Alhamdolillah, lucky to be alive”.
Thugs threw petrol bombs outside the home of Dewsbury South Labour councillor Masood Ahmed at 1.30am on Wednesday 23rd October.
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Two of the family cars were badly damaged in the attack. They have now been removed for examination by West Yorkshire Police.
Ten members of the Ahmed family were in the house on Pentland Road when the cars were set on fire, including his two young grandchildren aged just eight and four.
Police are now investigating the attack, which was caught on Mr Ahmed home CCTV.
Mr Ahmed had woken up and gone downstairs for a drink of water when he heard a noise outside his home.
“I was downstairs when I heard a bang and both cars were on fire,” explains Councillor Ahmed.
“The cars belong to my son and daughter. In fact my daughter’s bedroom is right above where her car was parked and set alight.
“Everybody is shaken up and scared.”
“My grandchildren, who are very young, were screaming in terror – they’ve been left traumatised. We’ve had to temporarily move them to stay somewhere else for a few days so we can console them.”
Mr Ahmed’s CCTV recorded four individuals arriving in a car. They exit the car carrying what appears to be petrol bombs, which are thrown at two cars – one on the street and another on the driveway.
Mr Ahmed said he did not know why his home had been targeted.
“We are lucky to be alive. It could have been a lot worse,” says Mr Ahmed.
He added: “These people are cowards, I won’t let them drive us out.
“I have lived in this road for 45 years and never had any kind of incident, never. I don’t know why someone would target my family”
The defiant councillor has said he will remain in his home with the support of the police and West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service, who have further assisted with security measures.
With nothing but high praise for the police and emergency services, Mr Ahmed says: “The police and the fire service have been great, from their prompt response and help in secure my home. I couldn’t ask any more from them.
“They have fitted alarms and have sealed my letterbox. The police are observing the property and doing door-to-door inquiries.
“They have gone above and beyond the call of duty.”
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue said crews from Dewsbury fire station attended the scene after its emergency control room received a 999 call at 1.30am.
“This was two separate vehicle fires on the same road.
“The fires are both being treated as deliberate and police are investigating.
“Two fire engines attended. Both had left the scene by just after 2.30am.”
West Yorkshire Police confirmed it is investigating two car fires on Pentland Road.
Officers are conducting house-to-house enquiries in the area and examining CCTV.
A spokesman said: “Enquiries remain ongoing to establish the circumstances.
“The fire was extinguished by the fire service who attended.”
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