A FAMILY had to flee their Accrington home after a fuel canister with a lit rag was thrown through their window.

Detectives have launched a probe into the incident after the same property in Lodge Street was fire-bombed in January.

Philip Kenrick, 33, his partner April Bates and their 21-month-old daughter Isabella, had been asleep on the first floor of their home when they heard a rear window smash.

With a strong smell of diesel evident, Philip hunted around the house until he found the rag in the kitchen and threw a pan of water on it, before alerting the emergency services.

The family had only moved into the house in March and Philip is now unsure whether he wants to remain in the terraced property.

He said: “It is just totally unprovoked - I’ve got no enemies. I’m just a quiet family man who just wants to get on with his life.

“The landlord has come around and boarded up the window and he’s said that he will fit a stronger security light, and even a CCTV camera in the back.

“But I’m not sure whether we want to stay here, knowing what has happened.”

Det Sgt Ben Hodgkinson, of Blackburn CID, said: “This was an extremely sinister crime and very frightening for the family involved, particularly as they have a young child. They were extremely lucky to reach the canister before it set on fire and caused potentially serious damage.

“We are still trying to determine why this family have been targeted in this way and whether it is linked to other similar incidents that occurred earlier this year. If you have any information about this or previous incidents, please get in contact with us as soon as possible before this person/ people potentially try this again.”

Anyone with information can call DS Hodgkinson on 01254 353562 or if they fail to get an answer, they can ring 101 quoting incident reference 415 of August 30. Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.