Terrified family forced to leap from upstairs windows after home set ablaze by arson thugs

A FAMILY was forced to jump from upstairs windows after their house went up in flames in a suspected arson attack.

A woman, 17-year-old boy, and two girls aged 16 and 11 are being treated in hospital after a blaze in the early hours destroyed the semi-detached property.

The boy is in a serious condition after he jumped from a third-storey window and also suffered burn injuries, police said.

The woman and two girls were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene before they were taken to hospital.

'ATTEMPTED MURDER'

Emergency services were called to the house fire in Heckmondwike near Kirklees, West Yorks., just after 4am.

Witnesses reported hearing "manic screaming", "massive bangs" and seeing "flames rising above the trees".

Police want to hear from anyone who saw suspicious behaviour, or who has CCTV images of the area.

Detective Superintendent Mark Swift, of West Yorkshire Police, confirmed the house fire in Heckmondwike near Huddersfield, West Yorks., is being treated as attempted murder.

He said: "This is clearly a very serious incident in which a male has suffered burn injuries and three females have also suffered smoke inhalation.

"It took place at a time of night when a family were at home sleeping and could quite easily have had fatal consequences for those inside.

"We are treating this incident as an attempted murder and I am appealing to members of the public for information."

He added: "It is quite possible the suspects will have suffered some injuries as a result of lighting the fire and I would like to speak to anyone who has information about males having turned up at home this morning with burns.

"I would also like anyone who has information about males buying petrol in cans from garages to contact us.

"Also, anyone who saw suspicious behaviour in the area of the affected property, or who has CCTV of such behaviour, should get in touch."