Watford woman, 80, set on fire outside own home, say police

An elderly woman, aged 80, is believed to have been deliberately set alight outside her residence by a person using a flammable substance, according to police reports. Authorities were alerted around 12:45 GMT on Monday after the victim was discovered in a communal area on the first floor of Caractacus Cottage View, located in Watford.

The victim has been identified by detectives as Brenda Raymond. She is currently hospitalized with serious, life-threatening injuries and remains in critical condition. Hertfordshire Police are investigating the incident as an attempted murder, stating that an accelerant may have been applied prior to the act of arson.

Further evidence collected at the scene suggested that a flammable liquid might have been poured through the letterbox of a neighboring property as well, the police noted. This points to the possibility that multiple properties were targeted during the incident.

Tim Bromwich, a resident living in a flat beneath the victim’s, shared that he had known Mrs. Raymond for three decades and had formerly worked with her until her retirement five years ago. He described the event as “just horrific” and remembered her as a “real talker and a lovely, lovely woman.” Mr. Bromwich recounted that he had gone out to get his car tested for an MOT at approximately 08:30 and returned around 13:00, shortly before numerous emergency responders arrived at the scene