Police appeal after Burnley community carer's car destroyed in early hours of morning arson attack

Police have launched an appeal for information after the vehicle of a community carer, who looks after a 90-year-old woman with dementia, was torched in an early hours of the morning attack.
By Susan Plunkett
Published 4th May 2020, 15:47 BST
Updated 4th May 2020, 15:48 BST
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Tracey Ashworth's Nissan Micra was destroyed after it was set alight close to her home in Burnley's Raygill Avenue.

The attack kept Tracey off the road for three days and unable to work until she could borrow a friend's car.

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Still coming to terms with the shocking incident, which happened at 1-45pm on Sunday, April 26th, Tracey said: "The first I knew of it was when the fire brigade were knocking on my door in the early hours to tell me my car had been set on fire.

Tracey Ashworth, a carer whose vehicle was destroyed in an arson attack, with two of her children, Chloe Simpson (left) and Elle Knowles.Tracey Ashworth, a carer whose vehicle was destroyed in an arson attack, with two of her children, Chloe Simpson (left) and Elle Knowles.
Tracey Ashworth, a carer whose vehicle was destroyed in an arson attack, with two of her children, Chloe Simpson (left) and Elle Knowles.

"I was shocked and dazed really because I have no idea who would do something like this.

"I have lived in this area for 13 years and I know everyone and have never had anything like this happen before."

Mum of four Tracey (41) normally parks her vehicle outside her home but on this occasion she had left it in front of her garage, one in a row of four, a short distance away.

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A dedicated care worker for several years, Tracey recently began working for Burnley based Curantis Healthcare Ltd.

The burned out wreckage of Tracey's car after the arson attackThe burned out wreckage of Tracey's car after the arson attack
The burned out wreckage of Tracey's car after the arson attack

Among the people she looks after are a 90-year-old dementia sufferer, who lives in Nelson. Tracey also cares for a young Burnley woman who has special needs and also suffers from multiple sclerosis, diabetes and had one of her legs amputated.

Tracey, a single mum whose children are aged 12, 14, 18 and 20, said: "The thought of not being able to help the people who have come to rely on me was heartbreaking.

"I adore the lady in Nelson and apart from her daughter I am the only person she sees seven days a week.

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"And with the younger woman I had just got her into a regular eating routine which, fortunately, she has carried on."

The interior of Tracey's vehicle after it was set alightThe interior of Tracey's vehicle after it was set alight
The interior of Tracey's vehicle after it was set alight

Lancashire Police today released a statement to say the incident was being treated as suspcious.

A spokesman said: "No arrests have been made as yet but officers are asking anybody with information about the incident to contact them on 101, quoting log number 137 of April 26th."