An elderly couple say they have been left traumatised after an arsonist set fire to their car, which was parked just a few feet from their home.

Fortunately for the pair, one of their tenants, who also lives on the property in Hamilton Parish, was able to put out the flames before the blaze spread.

The incident, which took place shortly after 9pm on April 3, was captured on CCTV cameras that the couple had installed to protect their home.

The car’s owner had arrived home at about 8.45pm and parked the vehicle in the yard just a few feet from her front door.

About 30 minutes later, she heard a disturbance outside and looked out of a window to see the car engulfed in flames.

One of the couple’s tenants, staying in a ground-floor room on the property, was first on the scene after being alerted by a passer-by.

He was able to put out the flames using several extinguishers before emergency services arrived.

A later review of CCTV footage taken from the camera on the property showed a suspect carrying a container of liquid, which he then poured on to the car before setting it alight.

The victim of the attack, who did not wish to be named, told The Royal Gazette that she and her husband were terrified by the incident.

She also feared that her vehicle may have been deliberately targeted by the arsonist.

She said: “Praise the Lord that my tenant was home. I dread to think what would have happened had it not been for his quick thinking.

“The car was parked just two or three feet from the house. There could have been an explosion, which could have easily spread to the building with all of us inside.

“One of my tenants was able to put the fire out completely before the fire service arrived. I’m so relieved that we didn’t have to rely on them, as they took such a long time to get here.

“My husband is 75 and I’m 68. It’s scary to think that someone could do this to seniors.

“We don’t know who could have done this, but we are worried that we may have been deliberately targeted.

“There were other cars parked on the property and yet mine was the only one that was set on fire.

“Also, it happened just after I had arrived home. It’s as if they were waiting for me.”

A police spokesman confirmed that the incident is under investigation, but did not give further details.

Earlier this year, three people were arrested after a string of suspicious fires in Devonshire.