Family Escape Arson Attack At Fazakerley Home
A family of six have escaped with minor injuries after an arson attack on their home in Fazakerley.
Merseyside Police are investigating following a suspected arson attack on a house in Fazakerley.
At 12.15am officers received a call from a lady inside the house on Higher Lane saying a fire had been started at the front door of her home.
The woman, her partner and four children, aged 17, 14, six and five years, escaped from the house through a first floor rear window, with help from a neighbour.
They were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation and minor injuries to arms and legs caused by their escape.
Firefighters from Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service arrived and quickly extinguished the fire.
Two police officers who arrived at the scene shortly before the fire service and forced entry to the house to ensure no other people were inside also had to be treated at the scene by paramedics for smoke inhalation.
Witnesses have reported a man seen running away from Higher Lane towards the direction of Long Lane.
The man is described as white, in his 20s, approximately 5ft 8in tall, of athletic build and wearing a black bubble jacket.
The house suffered major fire damage.
A forensic examination of the scene was due to be carried out today and investigations into the incident are ongoing but it is believed that the incident was targeted.
Patrols have been stepped up in the local area to reassure the community.
Superintendent Mark Morgan said: “It is only by sheer luck that all the members of the family were able to escape from their home with only minor injuries. This fire could have had potentially fatal consequences.
“I want to reassure the community in Fazakerley that we are determined to find the person responsible and I would urge anyone who has any information to contact us as a matter of urgency.”
Detectives are keen to speak to anyone who may have been in the vicinity of Higher Lane and saw someone acting suspiciously or saw someone running close to the area of Higher Lane/Long Lane in the early hours.
Anyone with information is asked to call Merseyside Police on 0151 777 4060 or the confidential Crimestoppers line anonymously on 0800 555 111.