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Arson attack in Arethusa Road, Rochester destroys Mercedes, Audi and Land Rover

05:00, 02 November 2023

updated: 13:44, 02 November 2023

A man has been left homeless and with three cars destroyed after he was the target of an arson attack.

Faz Razaq was at home in Arethusa Road, Rochester, last Monday at around 11pm when someone wearing a balaclava entered his driveway.

The disguised person poured a flammable liquid over the 39-year-old’s Land Rover Discovery before igniting it and running off – his clothes also slightly ablaze.

Self-employed Faz was alerted to the fire by his mother who was staying with him at the time.

He said: “Mum was praying in her room when she rushed to me to say she heard a loud bang.

“When I went downstairs all I saw was flames so I went back to get my parents out as quickly as I could down to the bottom of our back garden.”

The whole incident was caught on Faz’s doorbell camera. The fire wrecked the Land Rover, and spread to a Mercedes C250 AMG and an Audi S3 Black edition.

Faz Razaq believes he was the target of the attack. Picture: Faz Razaq
Faz Razaq believes he was the target of the attack. Picture: Faz Razaq

The blaze can be seen continuing for around another five minutes before it consumes the camera, cutting it off.

Faz, who works with cars, continued: “All the vehicles were write-offs. It has also done serious damage to my house and it’s now unliveable.

“There is severe water damage and smoke damage.

Faz is now living in hotels while his parents are staying with his sister in Essex.

He feels he was a target for this attack but has no idea why.

The Mercedes was destroyed in the arson attack. Picture: Faz Razaq
The Mercedes was destroyed in the arson attack. Picture: Faz Razaq
The Land Rover was destroyed by the fire. Picture: Faz Razaq
The Land Rover was destroyed by the fire. Picture: Faz Razaq

He said: “If I did it would be easier to work out who this might be.

“He put me and my family at risk. Things can be replaced but if I wasn’t at home, I don’t know what would’ve happened to my parents.

“What’s annoying me most is I want to know why he did it. He came from City Way directly to my house.

“In my eyes, this was an arson attack with the intent to cause harm.

“I’m still in shock but I’m not giving up until I find him.”

The masked man caught on camera pouring a liquid over the cars before being set alight. Picture: Faz Razaq
The masked man caught on camera pouring a liquid over the cars before being set alight. Picture: Faz Razaq
Three of Faz's cars were written-off by the fire. Picture: Faz Razaq
Three of Faz's cars were written-off by the fire. Picture: Faz Razaq

Fire crews arrived at 10.57pm upon getting calls about the fire and three engines attended.

Police were also in attendance and took over proceedings after the fire was found to be arson.

A spokesperson said: “An investigation is under way, and officers have completed house-to-house inquiries and are examining CCTV footage in the area.

“Anyone who has information that may assist is urged to contact the appeal line on 01634 792209, quoting crime reference 46/189780/23.

“You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or complete the online form on their website.”

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