A SYRIAN family, including an eight-month pregnant mum and three children under five, were the victims of a “disgusting and outrageous” arson attack on Sunday, leaving them homeless and without possessions.

The “vile” incident, which took place in the early hours of Sunday, November 12 on Park Avenue in Haydock, is believed to have been started deliberately – fortunately all five members of the family are safe and well, despite suffering smoke inhalation.

The family are reportedly now staying in a hotel, with the council promising to re-home them as soon as possible.

Two of the family’s neighbours, Kerry Hunter and Debbie Morris have started an appeal for cash, clothing and items to help the family, who were reportedly saved due to an elderly neighbour’s fire alarm.

Mum-of-one Kerry, 29 said: “The whole community were shocked to find out that a family who did nothing wrong, including children aged two, three and five and a mum who is eight months pregnant, were targeted in this vile way.

“It is a disgusting and outrageous attack and we as a community want to help them like we would any other family.

“We are asking people to donate what they can, they got out of there will barely anything, police officers even told my husband if they had been in there three more minutes they may not have been here.

“Anyone who can give clothes, toys, or cash for the family please get in touch, I know many people don’t want to give cash which is fine but please help if you can.

“Mum is heavily pregnant so maternity clothes are desperately needed as are clothes for dad who is of small or medium build.”

A spokesman from St Helens Council, said: “We are deeply saddened to hear about this attack and are working closely with the family affected to have them re-homed as soon as possible.

“We would urge anyone with information relating to this attack to contact Merseyside Police on 101, quoting the reference number 0517289293, or by calling Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.”

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."

To donate, get in touch with Kerry on Facebook by searching for kerry.hunter.777.