AssetID: 55158557
Headline: RAW VIDEO: ‘Shocking’ moment BMW goes up in flames on driveway and then set fire to the house
Caption: WORDS BYLINE: Alex Langridge Shocking doorbell footage has captured the moment a car was “brazenly” set alight before spreading to a house. Homeowner Aaron Dhillon said he was woken up at around 7am on Friday (October 3) to find his BMW M5 on fire, which was parked on his driveway in Gainsborough Drive, Northfleet. He told KentOnline: “We were asleep and did not hear anything. I just randomly woke up, and so did my aunt, who then came to find me, as we saw the fire. “We ran outside, and I went back in to get the dog. It was pretty shocking. “We were just watching everything burn. It was so brazen. It was done while people were out walking their dogs and getting ready for work.” Doorbell footage shows the moment a hooded figure runs from the BMW as it catches fire and engulfs the car in flames. Within seconds, the blaze is seen to spread to the downstairs window of the house. Aaron said: “It melted the plastic and caught hold of the curtains. The front room is totally destroyed, and there is smoke damage everywhere else.” Two fire engines and police were called to the incident, and crews wearing breathing apparatus used hose reel jets to extinguish the blaze. They also used positive pressure ventilation to clear smoke from the property after and cordoned off the driveway of the home. The 36-year-old added: “We cannot live there now and are in hotels. We have nothing. “Most nights I sleep in the front room, so it is lucky I was not in there when it spread. “All my neighbours came out to help and gave me some clothes as I had nothing. Everyone was out and trying to help.” Aaron, who has lived in the property for 11 years, said nothing like this has happened in the area and believes it was a targeted attack. The cause of the fire is being treated as suspicious. A 35-year-old man, from Gravesend, has been arrested on suspicion of arson endangering life. He has since been released on bail. Anyone with information that may assist police should call 01474 366149, referencing 46/171138/25.
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