A SUSPECTED arson attack on a pensioner's shed could have ended in tragedy had the blaze spread to his home before firefighters arrived.

Alick Elithorn, 86, was at home alone in Rose Hill, Oxford, in his downstairs study when he heard a noise just before 2am on Tuesday.

He said: "I was very frightened. I realised there was somebody out there. I think the lights came on at the back and I shouted at the top of my voice 'go away'.

"I peered through the curtains but did not see anything. I thought they were going to come in and bash me up. I felt very nervous and worried because there are stories of young people torturing old people in their own homes. I live in fear at the moment."

Moments later Mr Elithorn saw the 1,000sq ft shed at the back of his property on fire.

He said: "It began to burn and I started wondering whether the house was going to catch fire.

"There is not much of a gap between the house and the building and I did not think it would be long until the gap was breached."

A fire engine arrived shortly afterwards. Rewley Road watch manager Bob Speakman said by the time crews had arrived the fire had spread to the garden fence and a tree.

He said: "Had the fire been left for five minutes longer it could have done a lot more damage and spread to the house."

Nothing was stored in the outbuilding at the time, but Mr Elithorn said he had been planning to move hundreds of his books into the building.

It is the second time arsonists attacked the shed. It was previously set on fire in 2002, and on that occasion only the shell was left. The property has also been burgled.

The pensioner estimated that it would cost around £9,000 to rebuild the shed to its original state which had two rooms, a book store and a workshop.

He added: "It is very concerning. I had a very narrow escape on this occasion thanks to the fire service."

Thames Valley Police spokesman Toby Shergold said: "What may seem like a prank, or a bit of a joke, may actually put people's life at risk.

"I would not like to speculate about whether those who set fire knew the person who lived there, but we will always take any crime against elderly and vulnerable people much more seriously."

Anyone with information should call the police on 08458 505505.