A MAN who “feels lucky to be alive” after an arson attack on his home has praised the “community spirit” of neighbours who have rallied round to help him.

John Zietak, 63, was alone in his front room when arsonists set a bin alight in the back yard of his home in Sandford Road, Barkerend.

The blaze quickly spread to a gas mains supply pipe which was exposed at the back of Mr Zietak’s house.

A window pane was then smashed, which took the blaze into his pantry at the two-bedroom terraced house, which dates back to 1900.

But the doors between his pantry and kitchen and his living room were both shut, which meant the smoke from the fire was restricted to his kitchen.

Since the blaze, Mr Zietak, who did not suffer any injuries or smoke inhalation in the incident, has been buoyed by his neighbours offering their help, including restoring his gas and electricity.

Mr Zietak, who has lived in the house since 1964, said: “I feel extremely lucky. It could have been chaos.

“I feel lucky to be alive and feel like I have been given a second chance.

“The fire could have gone to the gas main and caused devastation.

“It could have affected not just me, but my neighbours as well.

“There were four foot high flames up the side of my wall.

“It’s depressing but the local people have been brilliant.

“There has been great community spirit. I have been really impressed. It has shown me an aspect of things that I had not seen before.

“Although it looks bad, it is not as bad as it could have been.

“I might not have had a house left.”

The fire took place on Tuesday, December 20, at around 10.30pm.

Electrician Razak Ishtaq was touched by Mr Zietak’s plight after hearing about his upsetting situation through a friend in the building trade.

Mr Ishtaq, from the Daisy Hill area of Bradford, decided her wanted to help and fitted an extra electrical socket in his home so he can have a temporary electricity supply.

Mr Ishtaq said: “He is living on his own and with Christmas round the corner I wanted to help.

“It was totally unacceptable what has happened.”

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “Police are working with the victim to get more information about the circumstances of this fire, which is believed to have started at around 10.30pm on Tuesday and is being treated as a targeted attack.

“Our enquiries are continuing and anyone who can assist these is asked to call 101, quoting crime reference 13160747618, or report anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”

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