David Cameron ‘targeted in suspected arson attack’ after a Molotov cocktail was thrown through the window of cottage near his countryside home
- ‘Molotov cocktail’ said to have been hurled at property near ex-PM’s home in Oxfordshire hamlet, near Chipping Norton on Monday
- A resident claimed fire may have been due to failed ‘targeted attack’ on cottage bought by Camerons 19 years ago
- Man, 33, from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, was arrested on suspicion of arson and detained under the Mental Health Act
A suspected arson attack on a cottage may have been targeted at former prime minister David Cameron, police last night revealed.
A Molotov cocktail was said to have been hurled through the window of a property near the ex-Tory leader’s home.
The suspect had reportedly travelled almost 60 miles to the scene.
One resident claimed the fire may have been the result of a failed ‘targeted attack’ on a cottage which was bought by David and Samantha Cameron in an Oxfordshire hamlet near Chipping Norton, 19 years ago.
A suspected arson attack on a cottage (above) may have been targeted at former prime minister David Cameron, police last night revealed. A Molotov cocktail was said to have been hurled through the window of a property near the ex-Tory leader’s home in an Oxfordshire hamlet near Chipping Norton
One resident claimed the fire may have been the result of a failed ‘targeted attack’ on a cottage which was bought by David and Samantha Cameron in the area 19 years ago
He added: ‘If it was, whoever did it wasn’t very clever as they got the wrong house.’ The source added that he had seen an armed response unit on the scene in the aftermath of the fire.
Fire crews remained at the scene yesterday as two men tried to retrieve items from the wreckage.
A man, 33, from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, was arrested on suspicion of arson and detained under the Mental Health Act, the Sun reported.
Mr Cameron told the newspaper: ‘It’s terrible. They’ve had a fire engine here for the last couple of days. I’ve heard a man has been arrested but I can’t say anything.
‘I was not home on Monday night when it happened, I came down as soon as I heard. There was a woman who lived there but she moved out about a year ago, a lovely old lady.
‘Thankfully, the homeowner is living with relatives but she is very shaken up. It is a huge relief that it was empty and no one was hurt.’
Last night a spokesman for Mr Cameron (pictured with his wife) said of Monday’s incident: ‘There was a bad fire at one of David Cameron’s neighbours. It is a huge relief that the house in question was empty and no one was hurt’
The former premier is entitled to lifelong personal protection from specialist Met Police officers.
Former Scotland Yard commander John O’Connor told The Sun that the suspected attack ‘reinforces the need for the life-long protection of prime ministers’.
Another local resident claimed he had been told Molotov cocktails had been used, adding: ‘The word is that they were targeting the Camerons’ home, but we’ll have to wait for the police and fire service to finish their investigation.’
Windows at the address had been boarded up yesterday while part of the roof appeared to have collapsed. The former Prime Minister is said to have been seen in the hamlet looking at the damage.
Last night a spokesman for Mr Cameron said of Monday’s incident: ‘There was a bad fire at one of David Cameron’s neighbours. It is a huge relief that the house in question was empty and no one was hurt.
They added: ‘This is now being investigated by the police, so it would be inappropriate to comment further’.