Mum trapped in house fire

Feb 26 2010 by Bryan Brough, Paisley Daily Express

A TERRIFIED teenage mum yesterday told how she feared for her life when firebugs torched the front door of her flat and left her trapped inside.

Nicole Lawson, 18, was horrified to see flames shooting through the letterbox and choking smoke engulfing the hallway of her home in Paisleys West End.

Her quick-thinking partner Stephen Calderwood, 24, came to the rescue by throwing buckets of water onto the flames.

Nicole, who has a three-year-old son, told the Paisley Daily Express: I was choking and I started to panic. It was terrifying.

Luckily, Stephen was visiting me at the time and he poured basins of water on the burning door. While that was happening, I phoned the fire brigade.

Stephen kept his cool and coped really well with what was happening. He wanted to keep the inside of the front door damp in the hope the flames wouldnt burn through the panels and his idea worked but, by that time, I was in a terrible state.

Nicoles nightmare ordeal took place at her home in the Woodside area of Paisley late on Sunday night.

She told how she went into her hallway to investigate after noticing a strong smell of fuel.

Nicole added: When I opened the door to the hallway, I couldnt believe my eyes. There was smoke everywhere and flames were shooting through the letterbox.

The heat was so strong that the door handle was red hot. It was a real relief when the fire brigade turned up.

The door is badly damaged and there is a terrible smell of smoke throughout my flat but Im glad no-one was hurt.

Police have confirmed they are treating the fire as malicious.

The remains of a broken bottle, believed to have contained fuel, were found outside the charred door at Nicoles flat.

She said: Ive been told that two men were seen running away from my flat and heading towards the graveyard at Woodside Cemetery.

I have no idea why anyone would want to set fire to my home. I could have been killed. Thank goodness I wasnt in bed at the time.

Cops have urged anyone who has information about the arson attack to call Paisley Police Office on 0141 532 5900 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

One officer said: We want to hear from anyone who saw two people acting suspiciously in the Woodside area on Sunday night.

was set on fire