'Enemy' theory in arson attack

Police are still at the house four days after the attack

Police investigating an arson attack on a house which killed an elderly woman and critically injured her war hero son are following up a number of new leads.

Ruth Whitton, who was 68, died in the attack on her home at Oakdene Close in Baglan, Port Talbot early on Thursday.

John Whitten is expected to make a full recovery

Her son, 39-year-old John Whitton - a Falklands War veteran - was also injured in the blaze started when petrol was poured through the letterbox.

Detectives have confirmed that they are treating it as a murder inquiry.

Officers said they believed that Mr Whitton may have made a number of enemies in the area over recent weeks.

He had been staying with his mother since the an arson attack on his own home.

They said they had discovered more about Mr Whitton's activities in the weeks leading up to the fatal blaze.

They believe he may have had an argument with someone - in what they are terming a "trigger event" in Baglan on Friday 7 June, three weeks beforehand.

Officers are keen to speak to anyone who was with him that night.

Full recovery

The fire at his house was started the following Thursday, and this latest blaze two weeks later.

Fire-fighters were able to rescue Mr Whitton and he is being treated at Morriston Hospital in Swansea where he is expected to make a full recovery.

Detective Superintendent Kevin O'Neill, who is headling the murder investigation, said they were satisfied it was a grudge attack against Mr Whitten.

"Its a pretty extreme thing to do, set fire to one property and then another, almost killing Mr Whitten, and sadly killing his mother," he said.

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.

Detective Superintendent Kevin O'Neill: 'Extreme thing to do'

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 came 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.

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