'It saved my life' - Hebburn woman heartbroken after van hit by suspected arson attack
The owner of a van which ‘saved her life’ has opened up after it caught fire over the bank holiday weekend.
The owner of a van who claims the vehicle helped her out of a tough period has said she is heartbroken after it caught fire in a suspected arson attack.
Claire Richardson of Hebburn was alerted to her van on fire thanks to a neighbour on Hedgeley Road on Friday, May 22.
She said: “I got it gifted off a friend, I was suffering from bad mental health and I didn’t leave the house. I didn’t have a car at the time so I was gifted a van to get me out the house.”
Claire was gifted the van in November 2025.
This was the first of two incidents police are investigating after a second van was found alight in Jarrow later that night.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Shortly after 10.50am on Friday, we were alerted via the fire service to a van on fire on Hedgeley Road in Hebburn.
“Shortly before 11.50pm that same evening, we were alerted via the fire service to a pick-up vehicle on fire on Aberdeen Drive in Jarrow.
“Emergency services attended both incidents and the fires were extinguished, with both vehicles unoccupied and no injuries reported.
“Enquiries are ongoing into the cause of both fires which are being treated as suspected arson.
“While enquiries are at an early stage, there is currently no suggestion the incidents are linked.”
Anyone with information regarding either incident is encouraged to contact the force.
A Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson added: “The emergency call for the first incident was received by our Fire Control at 10.53pm. A crew from Hebburn Tri-Station was dispatched to a van fire at Hedgeley Road in Hebburn.
“The crew left the scene at 11.09pm.
“The second vehicle fire was reported to Fire Control at 11.35pm. A crew from South Shields Community Fire Station attended the incident on Aberdeen Drive in Jarrow. Upon arrival, firefighters made the area safe as the car fire had been extinguished on their arrival. The crew left the location at 11.51pm.
The services are working together to investigate the cause of the fires.