Orpington fire mystery had disabled woman fearing for her life (From News Shopper)

Orpington fire mystery had disabled woman fearing for her life

5:05pm Monday 10th September 2012 in Bromley By Harry Kemble

A MYSTERY fire in Orpington on Sunday left a disabled woman trapped and fearing for her life.

Ann Greenfield, 54, who has suffered from a brain tumour for nearly 15 years, was left trapped inside her Friar Road home as her husband Paul attempted to put out the fire in their garage.

Only "material things" were lost in the incident which police have not ruled out as attempted arson.

"I feel devastated," said Mrs Greenfield. "It is only material things which have been lost.

"No one has died so that is okay."

The former Biggin Hill airport chef, who depends on three carers including her husband, suffers from double vision, epilepsy and often falls over when walking.

"If the house had caught fire how would I have got out?" she said. "I was frightened for my husband too.

"What else is going to go wrong?"

Mrs Greenfield says she watched the fire from her kitchen window unable to help her husband who was frantically trying to save their possessions.

In the blaze, the couple saw their prized BMW car destroyed while 56-year-old Mr Greenfield lost his tool collection which he had been collecting since he was 17.

Mr Greenfield was too upset to speak to the News Shopper about the attack which happened around 3:45pm.

On the adjourning Austin Road people were asked to evacuate their homes by the fire service – who as yet cannot determine the cause of the fire.

Anyone with information is asked to call Bromley police anonymously on 101.