Residents of Tenambit disability support service ACCnet21 have been left house-bound after the service’s wheelchair-accessible van was torched in the driveway.
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A staff member, who was staying overnight, and five residents with moderate to severe disabilities were on site just before midnight when the blaze broke out.
The flames spread to a second car parked beside the van and caused minor damage to the residential building.
Emergency services were called and the fire was extinguished, but not before both cars were destroyed.
ACCnet21 residential support worker Alicia Wild said it was lucky the staff member was awake as it could have been much worse. “If she was asleep it could have been fatal,” Ms Wild said.
The van was used to transport the residents, including one who is wheelchair-bound, to day trips, doctors appointments and family visits. Now they are stuck until the service can attain a new van.
Ms Wild said the incident has left the residents scared and anxious.
“These guys are vulnerable,” she said. “We push for their independence and then something like this sets them back.”
The service has been a target for vandalism in recent weeks. A meter box has been turned off, a handbag stolen and a shed broken into.
Ms Wild said she wanted to know why someone would target a not-for-profit disability service.
Police said the cause of the fire was unknown. Investigations are ongoing.