'It sounded like a gunshot': Sheffield woman's heartbreak after two-week-old car destroyed by petrol bomb explosion

Sarah Bekhouche, 26, from the Richmond and Stradbroke area, bought her brand new Seat Ibiza on New Year’s Eve but the car has now been completely decimated after what is believed to be a petrol bomb was thrown at the vehicle in the early hours of this morning (January 16).

Police are investigating the suspected arson after emergency services were called to Richmond Hall Road, shortly before 5.15am, following reports that a car was on fire.

South Yorkshire believe that the blaze was started deliberately but no one was injured during the incident.

The 26-year-old who owned the vehicle was watching television with a friend when the explosion happened.

"We heard a kind of scuttling noise, it was kind of like running through the snow and we looked outside and there was nothing there so we thought never mind”, Sarah said.

"Then not even 30 seconds later we heard an explosion and I kind of laughed about it and jokingly said 'oh someone's car has been petrol bombed'.

"It was like a gunshot.

"It was really loud, it woke all my neighbours up as well.

"The first thing I did was I rang the fire brigade, I was just shaking and in shock.”

Sarah claimed two other cars have been petrol-bombed in her neighbourhood over the last 12 months and now no longer feels safe living in the Richmond and Stradbroke area.

"The fire brigade told us they could smell petrol as soon as they went near it so that's why they think it's been petrol bombed", the 26-year-old added.

"Before I felt safe because I never had problems but now because I don't know who has done it or what reason they've done it, or whether it is targeted or random, I don't feel safe at all.

"I want to leave the area.

"I am absolutely heartbroken, I had been saving for that particular car for two years so that was really sad.”

Anyone who has any information about the attack should call police on 101, quoting incident number 154 of 16 January 2021.

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