Accelerant used in house arson attack - police

An arson investigation has been launched after a house in Bradford was targeted in an early-hours attack, police said.

Residents in Dane Hill Drive, Holmwood, escaped unharmed from the blaze after being awoken by smoke alarms at about 00:45 GMT on Thursday, West Yorkshire Police said.

Initial inquiries suggest an accelerant was used to start the fire at the front of the property, causing damage to the front door and smoke damage upstairs.

Det Insp Majahid Ashruff, of Bradford CID, said: "Fortunately, no one was injured but the consequences could clearly have been exceptionally serious, and we are doing all we can to locate and arrest those responsible."

Firefighters later extinguished the blaze.

Ashruff said house-to-house inquiries were ongoing and urged anyone with information or footage to contact police.

"We are conducting a number of active inquiries regarding this fire which we do believe was started deliberately," he added.

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