Elderly woman, 80, is fighting for her life after being 'sprayed with liquid and set on fire' outside block of flats: Police hunting for attacker

Published: 14:53 EST, 11 November 2026 | Updated: 14:59 EST, 11 November 2026 An 80-year-old woman is fighting for her life after she was allegedly sprayed with liquid and set on fire in an 'appalling' attack outside a block of flats.Brenda Raymond was found alight in a communal area at Caractacus Cottage View, Watford, just before 1pm on Monday.She was rushed to hospital, where she remains in a critical condition. Police believe some kind of liquid was sprayed on her before she was set on fire as she returned home.They have taken the unusual step of naming the survivor of an attack in a bid to trace whoever was behind the violence.Detective Inspector Adam Bridges, from the Major Crime Unit, said: '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. Brenda Raymond, 80, is in hospital in a critical condition after she was found alight in a communal area in Watford'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.'Detectives say an accelerant liquid was also poured through the letterbox of a nearby flat.They want to hear from any witnesses who saw anyone acting suspiciously that afternoon, anyone wearing a mask, or anyone fleeing towards nearby woodland, as well as anyone who saw someone buying flammable liquid that day or shortly before.