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Police are investigating a serious arson attack on the home of a senior Caerphilly County Borough councillor, who was saved from injury by quick-thinking neighbours.

Elaine Forehead, who is the cabinet member for social care, was woken by them banging on her door in the early hours of this morning, Thursday May 30.

The fence of Cllr Forehead’s garden had been set alight with the fire spreading across the outside decking towards her house on The Crescent, Trecenydd.

A shaken Cllr Forehead, who represents the Van ward for Labour, said: “I hope whoever did this doesn’t do it again. If anybody can help with CCTV I would be really grateful.”

She continued: “The flames came right outside our kitchen window. I dread to think what could have happened if my neighbours hadn’t called the fire service. I’m really frightened to think about it.”

Whoever set the fire, Cllr Forehead said, had done it in two different places and the suspicion is that an accelerant was used because of how wet the decking would have been due to rain.

Asked if she thought the attack was due to her work, Cllr Forehead said: “I cannot say. The police are looking into it, but as far as I’m aware I don’t have any beef with anybody. I can’t see a personal reason for it to happen to me.”

Cllr Forehead’s neighbours were woken by the smell of smoke. After looking out of their window and seeing the fire they rushed to the property and started banging the door. Cllr Forehead woke up to a bedroom full of smoke.

Thanking her neighbours she added: “I got out the house and I was absolutely panicking – I’d never been in a situation like that before.”

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) said it was called to the incident at 2.44am.

A spokesperson said: “SWFRS was called to an incident in Caerphilly whereby a garden fire had been started deliberately, involving tree cuttings, fencing, and plastic toys.

“The property owner requested the attention of the police, and the next door fence was also alight.”

Anyone with information or CCTV images should contact Gwent Police on 101.