AN ELDERLY resident living in fear of arsonists targeting derelict prefab homes on a Newport estate has attacked a housing trust's "complacency" over plans to demolish the houses at the end of June.

Last week the Argus reported how arson attacks on several houses in the Treberth estate prompted concerns an occupied home will soon be targeted.

Several prefabs remain on the estate, although many were demolished in recent years to make way for new bungalows.

Residents say five former houses and a bungalow show home were destroyed in just over a month. They are calling for the empty prefabs to be demolished by Newport Housing Trust.

The trust's director Phil Toms said, he "appreciated the concerns of residents" and said the derelict prefabs would be demolished by the end of June.

But widow Janet Rice, 67, who recently moved into a newly developed bungalow and saw her former home of 15 years destroyed last week, is angry with Mr Toms' response.

She said: "I think he has been very complacent. It's all very well to say they will be demolished in June but in the meantime, anything can happen. "It's just not fair to us. These houses are going up like bombs.

"I think Mr Toms needs to be more aware of how frightened and vulnerable these people are," she said.

"People's lives are at stake and it needs to be dealt with straight away." But Mr Toms said: "We are doing it as quickly as the regulations allow us and with the minimum disruption to residents waiting to move into new bungalows.

"The trust has a comprehensive programme of prefab demolition in place which is consistent with Health and Safety Executive requirements and advice. "To achieve this programme we have to work with TRANSCO and SWALEC, who require a minimum of six week lead-in times and who will not give the work of the trust any priority."

He also added that to carry out demolition "earlier than the programme would cause considerable inconvenience and distress for some residents which we are anxious to avoid".

Gwent Police are investigating the attacks and said they are increasing foot and car patrols in the area to "deter and detect crime". Anyone with information should call Always police on 01633 838111.