Man arrested after 80-year-old woman set on fire in Watford

Summarised from 4 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 14 Nov, 12:27 · Archive

An 80-year-old woman remains critically ill after being set on fire outside her Watford flat; a 33-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.

An 80-year-old woman, Brenda Raymond, was found on fire in the first-floor communal area of a block of flats at Caractacus Cottage View in Watford on Monday, 9 November at 12.47pm. She was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries and remains in critical condition.

A 33-year-old man from Watford was arrested on 13 November on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. He remains in custody as the investigation continues.

Detectives believe Brenda was attacked as she returned home and that an accelerant may have been used before she was deliberately set on fire. Evidence recovered at the scene has indicated that a flammable liquid may have been poured through the letterbox of another property in the area.

The Major Crime Unit is appealing for witnesses who saw suspicious activity between 10am and 2pm that day, including anyone seen wearing a face covering, balaclava or mask, or running from the scene towards nearby woodland or footpaths. Officers are also seeking dashcam, CCTV and doorbell footage from the area, and want to hear from anyone who heard screams, shouting or a disturbance before emergency services were called, or knows of anyone who bought flammable liquid on or shortly before 9 November.

In a statement, Brenda's family described her as 'beautiful, chatty, fun-loving and much-loved', saying she loves to keep fit and dancing. They said: 'Words cannot describe how distressing the past few days have been for us as a family' and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

How it is being reported

• Family's desperate plea after 'fun-loving' woman 'set on fire' in block of flatsThe family of an 80-year-old woman who sustained life-threatening injuries after she was "doused and set on fire" in Watford have spoken out.Herts Advertiser · 14 Nov, 11:47
• Family's desperate plea after 'fun-loving' woman 'set on fire' in block of flatsThe family of an 80-year-old woman who sustained life-threatening injuries after she was "doused and set on fire" in Watford have spoken out.The Comet · 14 Nov, 11:47
• Man arrested in attempted Herts murder probe after 80-year-old woman was set alightA man has been arrested in connection with an attempted murder investigation after an 80-year-old woman was set alight outside her Herts home.Hemel Gazette · 13 Nov, 15:53
• Man arrested after 80-year-old woman found on fire in Herts flatsA man has been arrested in connection with the attempted murder of an 80-year-old woman, Brenda Raymond, found on fire in a Hertfordshire block of flats.Herts Advertiser · 13 Nov, 13:32
• Man arrested after 80-year-old woman found on fire in Herts flatsA man has been arrested in connection with the attempted murder of an 80-year-old woman, Brenda Raymond, found on fire in a Hertfordshire block of flats.The Comet · 13 Nov, 13:32
• Watford man arrested after woman, 80, 'set on fire' outside her homeA man has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life after an 80-year-old was allegedly set on fire outside her Watford home.Watford Observer · 13 Nov, 12:23

In this story: Brenda Raymond · Watford · Caractacus Cottage View · Hertfordshire Constabulary

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log