Sleeping Tallaght family put in danger by arson attack

By Mary Dennehy

THE lives of a sleeping Tallaght family were put in danger this week when a caravan parked in their front garden was set alight in an early morning arson attack.

At around 3am, mother-of-six Mel Curtis, who had falling asleep on the couch watching television, was awoken by a large bang and, running to her front door, saw the family caravan on fire in the front garden of her Bawnlea home.

Mel was in the house with her husband and four of their six children, who are aged 10, 13, 16 and 21 at the time of the blaze – which gutted the caravan used by the family for holidays.

Mel told The Echo: “I ran straight upstairs to wake my husband, who moved his car away from the caravan – we were terrified it was going to go up – and we called 999 and made sure the kids were safe.

“I haven’t got a clue why somebody would set the caravan on fire, and I’m still in shock over what could have happened that night.

“The caravan was parked quite close to the front door and this could have been a lot more serious, people need to stop and think of the danger they are putting families in when they do things like this.

“I’m never on the couch at that hour, but it was a blessing in disguise that I fell asleep in the sitting room that night and was woken by that bang.”

She added: “I just want to raise awareness of how dangerous this could have been for my family, which was asleep at the time.

“I’m still in shock that this has actually happened and that someone could do this, but I am so grateful that my family are safe.

“There is a lot of heat and smoke damage done to the front door and I hope that the council can help us in sorting it out before Christmas.”

Mel said that she has contacted South Dublin County Council, but is still waiting for them to visit her home and access any damage.

When contacted by The Echo, a Garda spokesman confirmed that they are investigating a criminal damage by fire incident which occurred at around 3.15am on Tuesday, December 6.

No arrests have been made and Gardaí have appealed for witnesses.

Contact Tallaght Garda Station on 6666000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.