DETECTIVES are hunting arsonists after a flammable liquid was thrown at a house before two men rode away on a scrambler bike. 

A fire broke out at the property in Woodlands Road in the early hours of Thursday morning is being treated as an arson.

The blaze had been extinguished by the occupants of the house by the time the emergency services were called by a passer-by at 1.45am.

On arrival police and firefighters found damage to a window and window frame at the front of the house.

Detectives believe something containing a flammable liquid was thrown at the house by two men on a white scrambler bike who then rode off.

Both were wearing white motorbike helmets and one was wearing a maroon-coloured hooded top.

The incident is being treated as a deliberate and targeted attack and an investigation by St Helens CID has been launched.

Crime scene investigators have carried out forensic enquiries at the house this morning and witnesses are being sought.

Call St Helens CID on 0151 777 6804 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.