A MARTON man was left sickened and mystified after his house was fire-bombed twice in one night.

Police and fire officers are investigating the gutted remains of the Kirkham Avenue house after specially-trained fire sniffer dog Bernie found traces of petrol amid shards of a milk bottle early on Wednesday (September 15).

The lone occupier, Gareth Owen, 27, is now living in fear after his narrow escape from the blazing end-terrace home.

Standing in the charred shell yesterday, he told the Citizen: "I can't understand why somebody wants to try throwing petrol bombs at my house.

"I've not crossed anyone, at least I don't think I have, I'm not that sort of person - I just hope it's a mistake. Someone's got a very sick mind."

Gareth, an unemployed heating engineer, was first alerted when a pile of rubbish was set on fire outside the back door at 11.30pm on Tuesday (September 14)- he tried to stamp it out but his trainers started smouldering and he finally smothered it with bricks.

Investigators said it looked as though the fire bomber had been disturbed - they found an unused milk-bottle full of petrol and a lighter nearby.

Two hours later Gareth was in his upstairs flat watching TV, too unsettled to sleep. When he heard a noise, he investigated, smelled smoke and saw flames in the downstairs flat - unoccupied for two months.

He tried to drag out a blazing settee but was beaten back by the flames. Firefighters found him shocked and coughing in the street.

Blackpool assistant divisional fire officer Barry Shelmerdine said: "Mr Owen was lucky to escape with his life. If it hadn't been for the fact that he was disturbed by the earlier incident and was still awake, the outcome could have been far more serious."

The house is owned by Gareth's father, Jack Owen, who lives just a few doors away - "My dad's as sick as I am," Gareth said, himself the father of a four-year-old son who does not live with him. "He's just glad that I'm all right."

Police are appealing for information - call them on (01253) 293933 or Crimestoppers on (0800) 555111.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.