Police hunt for 'grudge' arsonist

Forensic experts have been examining the damage

South Wales Police are continuing their search for an arsonist with a grudge responsible for a fire which killed an elderly woman and critically injured her war hero son.

Detectives believe the blaze at Oakdene Close in Baglan, Port Talbot, was started deliberately, probably by petrol being lit outside the front door.

They think it may have been started by someone with a grudge against 39-year-old Falklands veteran John Witton.

War hero John Whitton saved 300 lives

They have revealed that the former seaman had been staying with his mother Ruth, 68, at her home in Oakdene Close, Baglan, Port Talbot, following a similar blaze at his own home in Baglan two weeks ago.

Mrs Whitton's body was recovered from her smoke-filled semi in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Fire-fighters were able to rescue her son, but he remains in a critical condition at Morriston Hospital in Swansea.

Police said they had not established a motive for an arson attack, but were investigating the possibility of a "grudge" attack, because of the earlier incident involving Mr Whitton.

They said petrol was used to start the fire near the front of his mother's house, and flames quickly spread inside.

We have no idea why anyone would want to harm him but it appears that someone may have a grudge

Det Supt Kevin O'Neill

Forensic tests are being carried out to establish whether the petrol was poured through the letterbox.

An incident room has been set up at Port Talbot police station and they are appealing for witnesses.

Detective Superintendent Kevin O'Neill said: "John is a veteran of the Falklands war and was involved in heroic action.

"We have no idea why anyone would want to harm him but it appears that someone may have a grudge.

Petrol was used to start the fire

"John discovered the first fire in his own home and put it out himself.

"He then moved to his mother's house to stay with her for a while and that's where the second attack happened. We are linking these two incidents and are treating them as very suspicious."

Neighbours at Oakdene Close said they could not believe what had happened.

He is very well-liked in the community and goodhearted; he is a really nice bloke

Neighbour Paul Lavington

Staff at the nearby Baglan Bay Hotel said the former serviceman Mr Whitton was a regular and well-liked in the community.

"I know that he is well-liked and very popular, so we can't really understand it," said manager Christine Cole.

Barman Paul Lavington added: "He is very well-liked in the community and goodhearted; he is a really nice bloke."

Mr Whitton was credited with saving the HMS Glamorgan during the Falklands conflict 20 years ago.

The ship - which had more than 300 people on board - was the only Royal Navy vessel to survive an Exocet missile strike during the conflict.

No recognition

It was listing heavily and close to capsizing after the strike left the lower decks flooded - but Mr Whitton swam in the dark through 5ft of water and managed to unscrew tubes that allowed water to drain.

But, despite his heroic efforts, the ship's captain was never informed, and he had no official recognition of his bravery.

The story has come to light earlier this year , when a book on the war was published.

Mr Whitton - who could not work due to post-traumatic stress disorder and disturbing flashbacks - said he was disappointed that the Ministry of Defence did not believe in awarding retrospective honours.

Mr Whitton said he had not thought of mentioning his bravery at the time.

"I suppose I felt instinctively that I had to do something because I could feel the ship going over," he said.

South Wales Police appealed for anyone who was in the area between 0100 and 0200 BST to contact them.

Anyone with information should call the incident room at Port Talbot Police Station on 01639 889127 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.