A suspected arsonist caused "unbelievable damage" to a landlord's property in Walthamstow and the landlord is incredulous, as he cannot believe the lack of help from the Council or police that may have stopped the incident.

Fifteen firefighters and three fire engines had to be called in the early hours of the morning to extinguish three mattresses, a fridge freezer and bed frames outside the property, after they were set on fire.

The fire took over an hour for the whole team of firefighters to successfully extinguish the flames which caused untold damage to the property. The front garden and bay window were totally destroyed and there was considerable smoke damage within the property.

Besides the state of the property, the landlord had just spent £20,000 on renovating the home during a seven week period. The prospective new tenants had also started to move their own personal possessions into the property, the night before the arson attack.

The same day that the landlord requested the council to move the items of furniture, the Waltham Forest police had also issued a warning to residents, of an increase of mattress related fires and fly tipping within the area in the past few months.

Mr Khan, the unfortunate landlord, said: "The police know this is happening across the borough. It's absolutely atrocious. They're doing nothing about the fact someone is going around setting fire to furniture. 

"The mattresses are fire-resistant so it couldn't have been just a cigarette, they must have used an accelerant. There is no other explanation - it must have been arson. 

"I put the mattresses out on Wednesday morning after being told by the council they would be collected on that day.

"I'm absolutely furious. If they had picked it up on the day they promised - this wouldn't have happened." 

Luckily no-one was hurt in the fire as all neighbours had left their homes when they were alerted to the fire by a passing motorist, who continually beeped the car's horn.

The London Fire Brigade have said the cause is under investigation, but it is believed to be arson-related. 

Richard Squire, Fire Borough Commander for Waltham Forest said: "We have attended a number of fires involving discarded mattresses which have spread to properties and endangered lives.    

"Fire related crime can have a devastating affect on local communities and puts people’s lives at risk.

"Not only that, arson incidents are a drain on our valuable resources. We work closely with the police to help bring arsonists to book."