An arsonist is believed to be responsible for a fire at a family home.

The home hit by the firebug in Jaywick

Burning rubbish was pushed through the letter box of the chalet home in Morris Avenue, Jaywick, while the family was inside. It set fire to a curtain in the home's porch.

Luckily, the 20-year-old man living in the house spotted the fire and managed to put it out.

A four-year-old toddler was also in the house when the fire started at about 9.25pm last night.

The man's 40-year-old wife was given oxygen by firemen who went to the scene to check the fire was properly out.

The woman's daughter said today: "Anyone who does this when they know there is a child on the premises has to be very sick."

Police scenes of crime officers and fire investigators were due to visit the scene today.

Mr Smith said: "We are treating it seriously. As it was, the damage was next to nothing. No-one was hurt. But it could have been serious. The man saw the glow and managed to put it out."

Published Tuesday January 15, 2002