Sydney woman burned in suspected Molotov cocktail attack on northern beaches home
A northern beaches man is mystified as to why his home was targeted in a suspected Molotov cocktail attack, in which his wife was burned while she sat having “a quiet cigarette”.
NSW
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A Sydney woman is recovering from burns after a suspected Molotov cocktail was thrown at her northern beaches home as she sat in the courtyard having a cigarette.
Emergency services were called to Harkeith St in Mona Vale shortly before 10.30pm on Sunday, following reports of a fire.
The 45-year-old resident quickly used a garden hose to extinguish the flames before paramedics arrived to treat her for burns to her arms.
She was later taken to Royal North Shore Hospital, where she remains in stable condition.
The victim’s husband, who gave his name as “Dino”, said he could not think of a reason why the house, or his wife, would have been targeted.
He said his wife had been sitting on a couch in a courtyard, surrounded by a 1.5m fence at the front of the house, when the petrol bomb was thrown.
After the flaming container landed on perspex roofing covering the front of the house, the burning liquid burned through onto the concrete flooring below.
Dino said the flames spread across towards his wife, who was sitting near the front door having a cigarette.
He explained that the liquid flames went under the lounge and scorched up the wall behind.
“It just landed on the roof and melted through,” Dino said.
“She’s got burns on her arms.
”I wasn’t here last night, so I don’t know exactly how she got burnt.
“I’m going to see her in the hospital this morning.
“I don’t know how bad she is, but I can’t think why anyone would do this.
“She was just having a quiet cigarette out the front of the house and then this happened.”
Neighbours told this masthead several people came and went from the property, which is in a largely industrial part of Mona Vale.
Vincent De Luca, an independent member of the Northern Beaches Council, urged police to increase patrols in the area in the wake of the apparent firebombing.
“The attack is most distressing and indeed concerning,” Cr De Luca, who has been consistently calling on current and recent state governments to increase police numbers on the peninsula, said.
“We on the northern beaches are not used to people launching Molotov cocktails into family homes.
“I hope police increase patrols in the area as there have been increasing criminal and violent acts north of Narrabeen Bridge, and in Narrabeen, and these offenders need to be charged.”
Police have established a crime scene at the property as investigations into the suspected arson attack continue.
Authorities have urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.
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