Man, 33, arrested after woman, 80, is 'doused and set on fire' outside her home

Published: 09:47 EST, 13 November 2026 | Updated: 10:01 EST, 13 November 2026 A man has been arrested after a pensioner was 'doused and set on fire' outside her home. Brenda Raymond, 80, was found on fire in a first-floor communal area of her block of flats in Caractacus Cottage View, Watford, on Monday.Officers were called to the scene at 12.47pm and Ms Raymond was found with life-threatening injuries.She was rushed to hospital, where she remains in a critical condition.A 33-year-old man from Watford has now been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life and remains in police custody.Police believe a flammable liquid was sprayed on Ms Raymond before she was set on fire as she returned home.Detectives say an accelerant was also poured through the letterbox of a nearby flat. They took the unusual step of naming the victim in a bid to trace whoever was behind the violence. Brenda Raymond, 80, is in hospital in a critical condition after she was found alight in a communal area of a block of flats in WatfordDetectives from Hertfordshire Police's Major Crime Unit are appealing for any witnesses, or anyone with information, to come forward.This includes anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area between 10am and 3pm on Monday, anyone wearing a face covering or balaclava, or running from the scene or in or out of nearby woodland.They are also keen to speak to anyone with any footage covering the area around the block of flats at the time, as well as members of the public who heard shouting, screaming or a disturbance before the arrival of emergency services.Finally, they are appealing for anyone who knows anyone who purchased flammable liquid on the day or shortly before the attack.Detective Inspector Adam Bridges, from the Major Crime Unit, said previously: 'This was an appalling and deeply distressing attack on an elderly woman who suffered horrific injuries after being set alight outside her own home.'Our thoughts very much remain with Brenda and her family as we continue to do everything we can to find out what happened and who is responsible.'Her family are understandably distraught and have taken the step of releasing her name and photograph to help jog people's memories around this distressing and highly unusual incident.'Someone out there knows something. You may have witnessed suspicious activity, heard a conversation, noticed unusual behaviour, or captured something on CCTV or dashcam footage without realising its significance.'Please do not assume that what you know is too small or unimportant to tell us about. It could be a seemingly insignificant piece of information that provides investigators with the breakthrough they need.'If you know anything about what happened to Brenda or think you may have information that could assist our inquiries, please come forward. Your information could be crucial in helping us find answers and bring those responsible to justice.'Members of the public are asked to go to the force's dedicated online portal, call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.