The victim of a suspected arson attack has spoken of her devastation after a fire destroyed her garage containing her mobility scooter, a pram for her pregnant daughter and her late son’s bicycle.
Grandmother Stephanie Marshall, 62, was at a friend’s house when the fire brigade was called to her home in Woodfield Gardens, New Malden, at 11.10pm last night.
Three fire engines were called to the blaze, which reduced her double garage to rubble.
An hour earlier, another suspected arson attack was carried out behind Poundland in the nearby High Street.
From today: Two suspected arson attacks in one hour in New Malden last night
Ms Marshall said: “I don’t know if someone set fire to the garage on purpose. We don’t know what happened.
“It’s just devastating really. I’m a bit numb at the moment.”
Ms Marshall, who has just had one knee replacement and is due to have another, lost her mobility scooter in the fire.
She struggles to walk and relies on the scooter to get around.
Also destroyed by the flames were books and toys belonging to her grandchildren, childhood belongings from her own children and a pram that was due to be used by her daughter Emma Pinn, who is currently five months pregnant.
The garage also contained a bicycle belonging to Ms Marshall’s late son Robert, who died two years ago after battling cancer, leaving two children behind.
Ms Marshall added: “It’s destroyed everything. Why would anyone do this?
“Some of the stuff can’t be replaced. But it’s nothing compared to losing your son.”
Did you see what happened? Contact the newsdesk on 020 8722 6337 or pippa.allen@london.newsquest.co.uk
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