Police are hunting an arsonist who set fire to a house leaving a mother and her young disabled son homeless.

No-one was in the end terrace house in Victor Road, Colchester, at the time of the blaze, which left it badly damaged.

Detectives believed the blaze could have been smouldering on Friday night before firefighters were alerted to smoke billowing from the New Town house at 5.45am.

Police tracked down the tenant, a woman with a three-year-old son, who has cerebral palsy, and the owner on Saturday afternoon. The woman had been staying with her mother in Colchester.

Four firefighters wore breathing apparatus, and a thermal imaging camera was used to check no-one was inside.

Police said they were treating the fire as arson. Fires had been started in more than once place in the house, which was left badly damaged by smoke. The fire was under control in 15 minutes.

Police and the fire service carried out an investigation of the house, and samples were taken away for forensic investigation.

A young couple who live to one side of the house were woken by the incident.

Vicky Bartlett said: "We woke up at about 7.15am and this house was full of smoke and it was a bit of a shock as we thought it was in here.

"We have been here for a week and haven't seen anyone next door."

Andrew Cardwell spoke of a tremendous amount of smoke coming from the windows of their neighbour's house.

Detective Sergeant Deirdrie Nowell, of Colchester police, said: "If anyone in the area saw anyone acting suspiciously, or if they have any information, please can they contact us."

If you saw anything between around 7pm on Friday and Saturday morning contact Colchester police on 01206 762212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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