A MAN escaped from a burning house after arsonists set fire to the porch.
The man, in his 60s, was asleep in the house at the time of the attack but was woken by the smell of smoke and shouts from neighbours.
He escaped and was treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire is currently being investigated but police believe it was arson.
Firefighters and police were called to the blaze in Catmore Close, Grove, just before midnight on Sunday, where the porch on the front of the property was alight.
Police only released details of the attack this afternoon.
Det Con John Ablett said: “We are treating this matter very seriously. This fire could have quickly spread to the rest of the house and if it had not been for the quick thinking of the neighbours then we could be dealing with a tragedy.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0845 8 505 505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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