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Gipton: Homes hit by fire bombs
Firebombers have attacked two homes on a sprawling Gipton estate.
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In one incident a terrified man rushed outside to extinguish one metre-high flames after a petrol bomb was thrown at his home.
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The 45-year-old was in his lounge watching TV at around 10pm on Monday when he heard a loud crack and saw his window light up as the homemade bomb ignited on the lawn outside.
The maisonette on St Wilfrid's Crescent was the first of two properties targeted in Gipton, Leeds, followed by one on nearby Thorn Grove 40 minutes later.
The attacks are being linked by police.
The man living at the St Wilfrid's flat, who didn't want to be named, said: "Even before going outside I could see there was fire there.
"I got a bowl and went to the sink and went outside and extinguished the flames."
He added: "They threw it at upstairs. It has cracked the window and it looks as though the petrol has dripped down on the lawn. The actual bottle was still intact. It was still burning away around three quarters of an hour later."
The man, who has lived in the one-bedroom flat for four years, said the attack had left him shaken.
He is calling for West Yorkshire Police to increase patrols - not just in the immediate aftermath of the incident but long-term.
He said: "Eighteen months ago every time I looked out of the window there was a police vehicle travelling around.
"Now I don't see any kind of police presence at all."
Stan Waller, chairman of Gipton ALO (Ambertons, Lawrences and Oak Tree Drive) Tenants' and Residents' Association, backed his calls, saying: "It does seem that at the moment there's not as much of a police presence as there should be."
A police spokesman said extra officers had been dispatched to the area on Monday night in a bid to reassure the community and patrols were increased yesterday.
Mr Waller added: "It's disturbing that people are lowering themselves to petrol bombing - that's a sad state of affairs.
"When people hear about it they will get very frightened and intimidated."
The musician affected by the attack now believes a wheelie bin fire which spread to his home in May, causing serious damage, could also have been a petrol bomb.
"I was keeping steel and aluminium cans in there - I could never work out how they set it alight.
"It must have been a petrol bomb."
He added: "It was severe, it could have set fire to the whole block."
He said there had been several incidents this summer which had made his life hell.
The flat above his was previously rented from Leeds Federated by Foundation Housing, as supported "move-on" accomodation helping 16 to 24-year-olds living in care or hostels settle back into the community.
The man said the flat was empty now but previous tenants had attracted trouble and he had occasionally been caught in the crossfire.
He said: "I'm going to see if I can get a transfer out of here.
"I've had a nightmare time.
The man said while waiting for police on Monday he had seen a gang of seven hooded youths loitering on the street.
Police investigating the attacks said two youths in grey tracksuits were seen in Thorn Grove shortly before the second incident.
No one was injured in either attack and damage was minimal.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Gipton and Harehills Neighbourhood Policing Team on 0845 60 60 606.
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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