Family flees arson attack on their Shrewsbury home
Monday 23rd May 2011, 6:01PM BST.
A family had to flee their home in Shrewsbury early today after a burning rag was pushed through their letterbox.
A 29-year-old man inside the house had to shout a warning to his girlfriend and her daughter to get out after discovering the fire had broken out around the door of the property in Briery Lane, Bicton Heath. Police are investigating the incident, which happened at 3.45am.
Police believe the family may have been targeted by “mistake”.
As he went downstairs to investigate the man saw a small area around the letterbox alight and the curtains covering the door were “very close” to catching fire, police said.
Officers said the man attempted to put out the fire while the woman and daughter left the building before police and firefighters arrived.
Police spokesman Chris Ammonds said all three people were outside by the time emergency officials arrived.
He said: “This was a frightening incident for the occupants of the house but thankfully they did not come to any harm.
“It goes without saying that we are very keen to speak to anyone who has information about this fire, or why this property may have been targeted.
“The occupiers of the house – a young family – have only been there two and a half months and we are looking at the possibility that this family have been targeted by mistake.”
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