Arsonists set fire to a house in the early hours of the morning while two people were sleeping inside.
Two men aged 37 and 38 were woken by a smoke alarm at their home in Glamis Place, Banbury, at about 2.45am on Thursday.
They found a fire on the ground floor but managed to escape and alert firefighters.
Following an investigation by Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue the matter has been passed over to Thames Valley Police as a suspected arson.
Det Con Natalie Thompson said: “We are keen to speak to anyone who may have been in the area at the time of the fire and seen anything that might help us with our investigation.
“If you saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area, or maybe a suspicious vehicle, we need to speak to you.”
Anyone with information should contact Banbury CID via the 24-hour Thames Valley Police Enquiry Line on 0845 8 505 505, or alternatively contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here