Jealous rage sparks fiery attack

A jealous rage may be behind a potentially deadly firebombing of a Christchurch house early yesterday.

Several people, including a 12-year-old girl who was asleep, were in the Amyes Rd, Hornby, house when it was set alight.

Two molotov cocktails were thrown into a bedroom, an accelerant appeared to have been poured onto window sills and parts of the house, and an attempt was also made to set a car outside on fire during the 12.10am attack.

Police were late yesterday trying to find the man they believe responsible for the attack.

He may be driving a red or maroon Honda Accord station wagon, registration number CPS612.

A 45-year-old woman, who was a boarder in the house, told The Star yesterday the man police were seeking had been stalking her for some time.

They had been friends but she did not want to get into a relationship, she said.

Her current boyfriend was at the house when it was firebombed and an attempt was made to set his car alight.

"The guy's got a real problem with me because I wouldn't go out with him. I didn't want to know him. It was a case of extreme jealousy,'' the woman said.

Graeme Delaney, 24, who lives in the house, heard a window smash just after midnight.

A molotov cocktail had been thrown into the bedroom of the boarder.

"She came into my room asking where the fire extinguisher was. I went into the bedroom. Everything was on fire including blankets which I picked up and threw out the window, onto the front lawn.

"My sister, Katie-Rose, 12, was in the bedroom next door, asleep. I rushed in and grabbed her. It was scary,'' he said.

They managed to put the fire out before firefighters arrived.

Mr Delaney said diesel had been poured on the bonnet and beneath the boarder's boyfriend's Holden Commodore on the road.

Another occupant Jason McLaughlin burnt his hand after he put the fire out that had been started underneath the car.

Police cordoned off the house yesterday, dusting windows for fingerprints and collecting evidence.

Said Mr McLaughlin: "We are lucky to be alive. We still have a house standing which is good. But another couple of minutes it would've been a different story.

"We wouldn't be here if we hadn't woken up when we did and the house would've gone up in flames if we hadn't extinguished it,'' he said.

Detective Damon Wells said police were seeking two males who helped at the scene to assist shortly after the attack.

Find The Bomber If you know the whereabouts of the man who firebombed the Hornby house, who may be driving a red or maroon Honda Accord, registration CPS612, phone Detective Damon Wells, 363 7859.