UPDATE 16th November: St Helens Council confirmed that the Syrian refugee family, who were victims of an arson attack at their home in Haydock last weekend, have been successfully re-homed

A Syrian family had to flee their home after it was fire-bombed in the middle of the night.

Neighbours found the family huddled in the back garden after a petrol-type accelerant was pushed hrough the front door letterbox of the semi-detached house in Park Avenue, Haydock , at around 4am on Sunday.

Police say they are keeping an open mind about the motive for the attack - but local residents fear it was racially motivated.

Many of them rushed to help after a neighbour’s smoke alarm was activated and flames could be seen shooting from the doorway.

They said the Syrian man and his pregnant wife who lived there with three children, aged five, three and two had managed to get out of the house and were in the garden and were suffering from the effects of smoke.

One neighbour said: “They’ve told me how they had a really bad time in Syria, and they can’t believe they’ve nearly been killed here, in Merseyside.”

Another resident added: “They’re a lovely family, the husband is trying to learn English, and their three children are beautiful.

“They make a real effort - the children play with ours in the street.”

(Image: luke traynor)

Today the front door remained boarded up and scorch marks could be seen on the wall above it. Children’s toys and what looked like a baby safety fate were piled in the front garden.

It is understood the family were taken to a hotel.

(Image: luke traynor)

Detective Inspector Louise Birchall said: “The occupants of this home, a Syrian family with three young children, were thankfully not more seriously hurt. The swift response from the emergency services ensured that everyone was brought to safety.

“I am sure that the community will be appalled that an innocent family would be subjected to such a frightening attack in their own home, and we will be relentless in identifying those responsible and bringing them to justice.

“We are keeping an open mind as to the motive behind this attack.

“If you have any information on who carried out this act, please speak to us directly or anonymously through Crimestoppers, and we will take action on all information provided.”

(Image: luke traynor)

Forensic, CCTV and house-to-house enquiries are being carried out to establish the circumstances and provide reassurance to the community and anyone with information is being urged to contact detectives.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting incident number 181 of 12 November, or you can all the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.