House of David Cameron’s neighbour attacked with fire bomb

Man arrested after cottage next door to ex-PM's Cotswolds house destroyed

David Cameron received lifelong protection from specialist police officers (Getty Images)

The home of David Cameron’s neighbour was burnt down during a suspected arson attack.

A cottage next door to Mr Cameron’s house in the Cotswolds was attacked with a crude fire bomb on Monday night.

The elderly woman who owns the property was not at home, having recently moved to live elsewhere with family, and no one was hurt. But the house was badly damaged by the blaze and later demolished by workmen because it was deemed structurally unsafe.

A 33-year-old man from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, was arrested on suspicion of arson at the scene of the fire in the village of Dean, Oxfordshire. He has since been detained under the Mental Health Act.

A spokesperson for the ex-PM said: “It is a huge relief that the house in question was empty and no one was hurt. This is now being investigated by the police, so it would be inappropriate to comment further".

Mr Cameron told The Sun: “It’s terrible. They’ve had a fire engine here for the last couple of days. I’ve heard a man has been arrested but I can’t say anything.

“I was not home on Monday night when it happened, I came down as soon as I heard.

“There was a woman who lived there but she moved out about a year ago, a lovely old lady. Thankfully, the homeowner is living with relatives but she is very shaken up.

“It is a huge relief that it was empty and no one was hurt.”

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson confirmed officers were called to a fire at a property in Dean at just after 10.40pm on Monday

They added: “Nobody was injured in the incident and a 33-year-old man from Wellingborough was arrested at the scene on suspicion of arson. He has subsequently been released under investigation, but detained under the Mental Health Act.”

As a former prime minister, Mr Cameron has lifelong personal protection from specialist Metropolitan Police police officers.