Police appeal for information following arson attack at Leeds home
A mother and her baby were inside the property when it was set on fire
Police in West Yorkshire have launched an appeal for information after two men were seen setting fire to a house with a mother and baby inside.
Officers first received reports of a fire on Scott Hall Road in Leeds at 9:40am on July 13th, 2023. Two men were seen approaching the property, with one pouring petrol through the letterbox before setting it alight.
When emergency services arrived at the scene, the house was already ablaze - though thankfully no one was injured.
Nearly one year on from the incident, ongoing investigations from the force have now resulted in an appeal for information for the two men involved with setting the fire.
West Yorkshire Police have released two images of the men in the hopes that the public can get in touch to identify the men in connection with the arson attack.
Speaking on the case, Detective Constable Lindsey Crawford from Leeds District's Criminal Investigation Department called on those with information to get in touch.
"This incident could have had tragic consequences," Crawford said. "Fortunately, another family member has returned home shortly after the fire was started but even in that short time the baby’s room was affected, with a clear baby-shaped outline found in soot in the cot afterward.
"We need to identify these pictured males as part of our ongoing enquiries. I would urge anyone with information about their identities, or indeed the males themselves, to come forward to assist our investigation.
"We believed the vehicle used by the suspects travelled to West Yorkshire from the Thames Valley area via Birmingham; it was later recovered in the West Midlands. If anyone from these areas has any information that could assist us in our enquiries, I would also urge them to get in touch."
Those with any potential information regarding the case is being asked to contact the force in person or by calling 101, quoting incident reference number 13230389546.
Those who are calling from outside of West Yorkshire are being asked to call their local police force in regards to the attack.