THE pensioner whose thatched cottage was torched in South Oxfordshire yesterday said she had no animosity towards the man charged by police.

Jean Gladstone – whose Rokemarsh cottage was the first of three buildings targeted in a nine-minute arson spree in the early hours of Thursday – told how she escaped her burning home, clutching just a bunch of flowers given to her by her nephew for her 80th birthday. 

And she said she had no idea why her home was set on fire, adding of the man yesterday charged with arson by police, Andrew Main: “I feel more sorry for him than myself.” 

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Ms Gladstone denied there had been any problems between her and Main and that she had nothing against the 47-year-old, who she described as “a very nice boy”. 

Andrew Main, 47, of Rokemarsh, has been charged with one count of arson with intent to endanger life and two counts of arson reckless as to whether life was endangered.

He was held in custody to appear at Oxford Magistrates’ Court today.

As well as Mrs Gladstone’s home, the Howard Chadwick Funeral Service and the South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils’ building in Crowmarsh Gifford were badly damaged by fire at about 3.20am on Thursday. 

Ms Gladstone said: “I have had no dispute with [Andrew Main]. In fact he’s a very nice boy and I’m very worried about him. 

“I feel much more sorry for him than myself. 

“I don’t know why I was targeted. There was no animosity. I’ve been very friendly with young Andrew.” 
Ms Gladstone described the moment she discovered the fire at her thatched cottage. 

“My [smoke] alarm woke me up, thank God,” she said. “I’m so lucky. There weren’t any bangs, all I heard was a crackling of wood next door. 

“I spent a penny and then I went to my fuse box and none of the lights would turn on. I tried to stop the alarm and it wouldn’t stop. 

“I didn’t really see a lot of smoke or anything and it wasn’t until I found a torch to go to the fuse box that I smelled the smoke so I thought I’d better go and have a look. 

“I shot through and found the whole thing on fire. 

“I just shut the doors and brought one thing with me which was the lovely flowers that my nephew gave me for my 80th birthday. 

“I phoned 999 and then everyone woke up.” 

Neighbours spoke of their shock following Thursday’s night of drama which saw about 30 people having to leave Rokemarsh for safety reasons. 

Darren Williams, 44, said: “We all hope Miss Gladstone is all right. She didn’t hold any grudges against anybody. 

“She has lived here for many years and has been a big part of the community and is a voice of the community. 

“We are all in shock. It came out of nowhere but I would like to thank all the emergency services for such a great job that they did. 

“It is fortunate that nobody was injured or hurt.” 

Residents were allowed back into the village shortly after 3pm yesterday after spending much of the day in Berrick and Roke Village Hall. 

Police would not confirm that any more than three buildings caught fire, but residents said they believed there had been a fire in a second building in Rokemarsh. 

Liam Tiller, 68, said: “The thatched cottage that Jean Gladstone lives in was on fire, and a building at the farm. I believe it was used for storing animal feed. 

“When it was alight at 3am, there was masses of burning.” 

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