NEIGHBOURS of a woman killed in a fire at her home have been praised for their bravery after attempts to help the stricken woman.
Grandmother Catherine Kelly, 71, was killed in a blaze that police say was “targeted and deliberate” late on Saturday night in the Onthank estate in Kilmarnock.
Her son, named locally as William, 41, was also seriously injured in the fire. His 41-year-old partner, known by neighbours as Eleanor, was unhurt and was said to have been led away screaming from the scene.
Mr Kelly’s condition was described as stable at Crosshouse Hospital.
Neighbour Stephen Wiseman described seeing flames and other people trying to rescue occupants. Mr Kelly and his partner had returned home in a taxi about 30 minutes earlier.
Mr Wiseman, 20, said: “Just before midnight I saw flames coming out the windows and people shouting so I went out and saw it all. It wasn’t a nice thing to see.
“Other neighbours were trying to force open the front door because people were trapped inside. Then the police and fire brigade came.
“There had been a party at Crosshouse and Eleanor and Willie came back in a taxi at half-past eleven.”
His sister Anna, 26, added: “There was orange flames and thick black smoke coming out of the living room and I think a bedroom. I heard the lassie’s screams as she was taken out by somebody beside her. It was a terrible thing to see.”
Her mother Fiona, 59, said Mrs Kelly was a familiar figure walking her West Highland terrier in the area.
Mrs Wiseman added: “It really is a shock for this to happen so close to home. Cathy’s husband William died over a year ago and she kept herself to herself.
“I know she got on with her son’s girlfriend as I used to see them going into town together.”
Mary Duffy, 67, a friend of Mrs Kelly who lives across the road, was woken by her dog barking.
She said: “The place was awash with blue lights from the emergency services but when the ambulance went away at 3am without anybody in it, that’s when I concluded it was a fatality.
“A neighbour phoned to tell me Cathy had died and I was so sad. She worked so hard all her life.”
Detective Chief Inspector Allan Burton praised neighbours who had to be treated for smoke inhalation after trying to rescue the occupants.
He said: “Following a joint investigation with our colleagues at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, we now know this was a targeted and deliberate act.
“Local residents are understandably shocked and I would like to acknowledge the bravery of those neighbours and passing motorists who raised the alarm and tried to do what they could to extinguish the blaze.”
Police said a report would be sent to the procurator fiscal and confirmed officers were following a positive line of inquiry.
After the incident, forensic experts and fire investigators were seen to work in and around the taped off, semi-detached home, while blue plastic screens were put up to the side of the house in front of a wooden shed or garage.
Officers appeared to photograph something on the floor of the front room.
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