A hero nurse saved a family after spotting flames coming from their car while they were sleeping. Lisa Dodd saved Ruth Thompson and her two daughters when the car was set alight right next to their house during a series of alleged arson attacks. The NHS nurse noticed the flames from her bedroom window and “immediately ran out to wake them up” over fears the car would explode.
Ms Dodd told the Daily Mail: “I was just settling down in my upstairs bedroom when I noticed something a bit strange behind my blinds.
“The light seemed a bit off and when I looked out I saw the bonnet of the car on fire.
“I knew that there was a sleeping family in the room next to the fire and I was worried that the car would explode.”
The family’s flat was so badly damaged from the fire that they have not been able to return since.
Ms Dodd said she just wanted to get everyone to safety but if she had been any later the damage could have been worse.
She added: “I’m usually asleep by 8pm after my work shifts so it was really incredibly lucky what happened.
“I got to them just in time. It doesn’t bear thinking about what could have happened.”
A man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of arson after 13 cars went up in flames on Sunday night in Wimborne, Dorset.
Dorset Police said the fires occurred between 1am and 3am.
Ms Dodd said: “It has scared everybody around here. We’re worried it could happen again.”
Paul Deer, from a neighbouring property, hailed Ms Dodd as a “hero” for her efforts.
Dorset Police chief inspector Andy Edwards said: “We fully understand the impact of these incidents on the victims, but also within the wider communities of Broadstone, Wimborne and Merley.
“I want to take this opportunity to reassure residents that officers from our neighbourhood policing teams will continue to carry out enhanced patrols in the area and can be approached by members of the public with any information or concerns.”
Police are appealing for anyone with any information on the incidents to come forward.
Inspector Edwards added: “I urge anyone who may have home CCTV or doorbell cameras installed in those areas and anyone with dashcam to please check their footage to see if there is anything of relevance that could help us.”
