A devastating firebombing incident has left a single mother of two with extensive burns, setting her on a challenging path to recovery.
Penny Travers, a dedicated disability support worker from Perth, endured over two weeks in the burns unit at Fiona Stanley Hospital after sustaining burns over 25% of her body.
This frightening episode occurred on October 6 when an unknown individual hurled a firebomb at Ms. Travers’ car. Fortunately, the device did not penetrate the vehicle’s window.
However, the firebomb ignited a blaze in the carport.
In a bid to extinguish the flames, Ms. Travers was caught in a dangerous situation when nearby spray paint cans erupted in a fiery explosion, leading to her severe injuries.
“When I went outside to try and put the fire out, the spray paint cans I had near the vehicle exploded in my face,” she recounted.
‘I’ve ended up with burns to 25 per cent of my body including my face, neck, chest and arms.’
Ms Travers was in hospital for 17 days, where she underwent a 4.5-hour surgery for skin grafts and required a blood transfusion.
Falcon mum-of-two Penny Travers (pictured) suffered burns to 25 per cent of her body in the alleged attack
Penny Travers (pictured) faces a long road to recovery following the incident
Ms Travers says a firebomb was hurled at her car (pictured), but the attacker failed to get the device through the window
To add insult to injury, while the mum was in hospital the attackers returned to finish the job on October 12.
This time they successfully burnt out her vehicle which is now a write-off.
‘This was while my 16-year-old daughter was at home by herself,’ she said.
‘If my dog hadn’t woken her up it could have been a lot worse.’
The extent of the burns means Ms Travers is off work for at least the next six weeks.
‘I’ll be required to wear compression garments for the next year to help with the scarring, but despite the garments I will still be scarred for life,’ she said.
Originally from New Zealand, the mum has limited support from the federal government despite calling Australia home for almost 15 years.
‘I have been granted a temporary benefit but it does not cover my rent, let alone any other monthly expenses,’ she said.
Ms Travers (pictured) says she’ll need to wear compression garments for the next year but despite the garments she’ll be scarred for life
Ms Travers has started a GoFundMe page to raise funds for rent, utilities, transport and food for her family.
The Falcon mum said she is driving more than 100km to Fiona Stanley Hospital twice a week for dressing changes and physio.
Ms Travers said the shocking attack is under investigation.
‘I can’t say much but jealous, narcissistic psychos are horrible people,’ she said.
Western Australian Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the two vehicle fires.
A spokeswoman said emergency services were called to a report of a vehicle fire outside a residential premises in Greenfields at about 4.30am on October 6.
Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) attended and extinguished the fire.
Ms Travers was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
On October 12 at about 5.20am, emergency services received reports of a vehicle fire at the same location. No injuries were reported.
Both fires are being treated as suspicious and Mandurah Detectives are urging anyone with any information, CCTV, mobile phone, or dash-cam vision relating to this fire to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
