A TERRIFIED family of five fled their home after arsonists piled a three piece suite up against the back door and torched it early today.

Mr Harold Blackburn, 37, went to investigate after hearing a loud banging noise outside his home in Ballantrae Road, Shadsworth, Blackburn.

When the father of three walked down stairs and into the kitchen he discovered a wall of flames.

Mr Blackburn said: "We let the dog out at about 12.30am, brought her back in, and then went to bed.

"Then I heard all this banging and went to investigate. I thought someone was breaking in.

"When I saw the flames I ran back upstairs, got everybody out and rang the fire brigade. The flames were reaching right up to the roof."

Mr Blackburn's wife Barbara, 36, and sons Anthony, 18, Gary, 10, and Simon, nine, were upstairs in the Blackburn Council home. Fire fighters arrived at the semi-detached house at around 2am.

Mr Blackburn, who works for ASDA, said the arsonists had moved the suite from another part of the garden. He believes the fire was started using the wheelie bin.

He added: "The mentality of some people is absolutely amazing. Someone could have been killed as a result of this.

"We have lived in this house for 18 years without any problems. We are not a bad family and get on with everybody.

"For some time now I have been thinking of moving out and buying my own house. Now this has decided me."

A spokesman for Blackburn police today confirmed that officers would investigate the blaze.

It follows other suspected arson attacks in the same road before Christmas.

Another wheelie bin and a garden shed have also been torched.

Mr Blackburn added:"They are playing with people's lives."

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