Residents terrorised by spate of firebombings in Adelaide’s west
UPDATED: Residents have told of their terror after a spate of firebombings in Adelaide’s west just days after a nearby shooting of a man in a suspected bikie attack. SEE THE DRAMATIC PICTURES
A SPATE of firebombings across Adelaide’s west just days after the nearby shooting of a man in a suspected bikie attack has left residents terrified.
Detectives are investigating at least three separate “deliberately” lit car fires at a new St Clair housing development and Woodville North house early on Sunday.
Police denied a link between the three arson attacks and a shooting at a St Clair house a fortnight ago — suspected to be gang related — despite it occurring less than 600m from two of the firebombings.
Authorities were called to Brocas Lane, St Clair at 3.10am on Sunday after locals were woken by two loud “explosions”.
Terrified residents rushed to move other vehicles away from the “well alight” Toyota sedan amid fears the wall of flames could spread to their cars and adjoining homes.
Amid reports of a “strong” smell of petrol, a Chrysler sedan was also torched a few metres away in the neighbouring Crompton Drive.
While both vehicles were destroyed, two Metropolitan Fire Service crews spent 30 minutes desperately stopping the flames spreading to homes in the “quiet” and predominantly young family area.
A few hours later, a pensioner was hospitalised after a molotov cocktail was thrown into his son’s $30,000 V8 Holden sedan, parked under his Burwood Avenue, Woodville North home.
Crime scene officers searched all three addresses for clues as Western Adelaide detectives investigated and conducted doorknocks. The arsonists remain at large and no arrests have been made. A damage bill is unknown.
The Toyota’s owner, IT worker Kawaldeep Kaur, 30, bought her new car two months ago. “I am very scared and I am very upset,” she said.
Her friend and housemate, government worker, Amandeep Sidhu, 32, added: “I thought someone was jumping on our roof. We are scared. We are planning to move out now.”
The Chrysler’s owner declined to comment but said he was “fine”.
Cafe owner neighbour “Matt”, 30, was asleep on his couch when he heard a “boom”.
“It was really loud — it woke me up,” he said. “I ran outside as I thought it was my car. It was frightening.” Another neighbour, Kym Mensworth, 55, said the fires appeared “staged”.
Retired Albanian-born bus driver Ali Salko, 79, suffered smoke inhalation and minor burns after he removed a burning molotov cocktail from a car parked in his Woodville North home, which belonged to gyprocker son, Valdet, 23. “I had to burn myself to save my house,” he said.
His other car salesman son, Vullnet, 26 expressed shock and said he did not know who would commit such crimes. “What sorts of people do this,” he asked. “My father is lucky his house didn’t go up.”
The arson attacks come a fortnight after a man was injured in the St Clair Avenue shooting — across a reserve from the fires.
Two men brandishing handguns fired three shots during the ensuing chaos — one which graze the 24-year-old victim’s calf.
Police are investigating gangland ties although the unnamed victim has provided limited help.
A police spokeswoman said none of the incidents appeared linked but urged witnesses to contact authorities.
