Published at 15:38, Monday, 23 July 2012

A woman and her children had to flee from their home following a suspected arson attack early today.

Charlene Morrison and twins Nikita and Rochelle Price outside their Borland Avenue home

The fire, in Borland Avenue, Botcherby, started at the front door of the house at 3.50am.

Mum Cheryl Price was at home with her children Charlene Morrison, 16 and five-year-old twins Nikita and Rochelle when the blaze broke out.

“I could hear banging about and the fire alarms went off,” she told the News & Star. “Black smoke was coming up the stairs. I started shouting out of the window for help.

"I shouted over to a neighbour to bring water because my house was on fire. I was on the phone to the police saying my house was burning down, I’ve got babies in the house.”

The family managed to escape and nobody was hurt.

Mrs Price added: “I keep thinking we could have been burned to death I feel shocked and sick.”

The fire, which was extinguished before it spread to the rest of the house, caused damage to the front of the property. A suspect has been named who is known to the family.

Police have appealed for anyone with information to call 101.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk