Woman tied up and left in burning home

Woman tied up and left in burning home

21 February 2018

A WOMAN is recovering at her home after being tied up by burglars and abandoned in a burning house near Clough.

The woman, who is in her 50s, suffered what was described as a “significant ordeal” after being restrained by the masked men for two hours at the house on the School Road.

The intruders burst into the house when she opened the door at around 1pm on Monday in the mistaken belief they were workmen.

They stole computer equipment and then tied up the woman in an upstairs room before setting the property alight and fleeing in a stolen Peugeot car.

The woman, who was a cleaner, was eventually freed by passers-by who came to her assistance after spotting the blaze.

Police and the Fire and Rescue Service arrived at the scene and put out the fire, which caused significant damage to the property.

The house owner, local businessman Matthew Davey, said he was horrified by the break-in and disgusted by the “significant ordeal” suffered by the woman.

He said he presumed the fire might have been caused by an electrical fault when he was informed of the blaze shortly after 4pm.

Arriving at his home, he said he was shocked to meet the distraught cleaner outside the two-storey house where she tried to explain what had happened.

“She said two people turned up who she presumed were workmen,” he said.

“They forced their way past her and trashed the house searching for valuables and money.

“They tied her up in an upstairs office. She was held for up to two hours with the intention of waiting for my return, and there was innuendo about what was going to happen.

“I do not understand the purpose of setting fire to the building before they fled.

“If it was a burglary with intention for profit why would you leave an innocent by-stander tied up and light a building? Why escalate it in that way? I have no idea whatsoever.”

Mr Davey added that the woman was very shocked. 

He added: “It was a significant ordeal she went through.”

The stolen vehicle was was discovered burnt out at The Old Mill on the Clarkhill Road outside Castlewellan in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Local police are appealing to anyone who witnessed suspicious vehicles in the area on Monday, or saw a Peugeot car being driven between Clough and Castlewellan, to contact detectives at Ardmore Police Station on 101, quoting references 952 19/02/18. 

The incident has been condemned by local politicians.

Describing the incident as “sinister”, South Down Assemblyman Jim Wells said the robbery could have ended up in murder.

“Police said the woman could not get out so she could have been burnt alive,” he said. “Somebody knows who is responsible and they must be caught before they strike again.” 

SDLP councillor Mark Murnin has encouraged people to be cautious when answering their doors.

“This burglary is disturbing. It is bad enough to have your home violated and to be tied up, but to then set fire to it beggars belief,” he said.

“There have been reports of suspicious activity in the area recently and I would encourage people to keep their doors locked.”

Local Ulster Unionist member Alan Lewis praised the emergency services and neighbours following the house fire, which he warned could have resulted in a woman’s death. 

“It is fortunate that nobody was seriously injured or killed. My thoughts are with the lady who has undoubtedly suffered a dramatic and terrifying experience,” he said.