Imagine waking up to find your car engulfed in flames right outside your home! That’s the nightmare that 27-year-old Courtney McBride from Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, endured while she and her young son were safely but terrifyingly nearby. The dramatic scene unfolded in the early hours of December 27th when Courtney’s neighbour had to wake her by breaking down her door to alert her to the blazing vehicle.
Caught on Courtney’s doorbell camera, a hooded figure in dark clothing was seen dousing her car with petrol and fleeing as it erupted into flames. The fire quickly spread, melting the door and window frames of her house. Courtney is convinced she knows who the culprit is – a man she claims has been sending her threatening messages, including one ominous enough to predict this exact attack. Despite reporting these threats, no action was taken by authorities, leaving her and her son in fear.
“The fear was overwhelming,” Courtney shared. “I just grabbed my son and we rushed out the back of the house, smoke filling the living room. The flames were too close for comfort.”
Firefighters arrived promptly to douse the fire, but both Courtney and her six-year-old son are still shaken, worried about future attacks. “It’s hard to feel safe,” she confessed. “What if he comes back, and next time it’s our home in flames? I can’t sleep, and my son jumps at every little noise.”
The police have stepped up patrols in her area, treating the fire as a deliberate attack. Their investigation is ongoing, but no one has been detained. Meanwhile, Courtney and her family are left to hope for justice and some peace of mind soon.
Stay safe, neighbours. Remember, vigilance is key, and community matters! 💙