Arsonists doused a car with accelerant and torched it outside a family home in St Albans recently (July 19).

Fire crews and police were called to a property on The Ridgeway at about 7.45pm, because a black Range Rover Sport parked in the driveway was well alight and the fire was starting to scorch the house.

Whoever burnt the car made off on foot, carrying a petrol can.

One person inside the house had to be rescued by firefighters, but they were unharmed.

Two fire crews from St Albans and one from Wheathampstead attended - they had extinguished the fire by about 8.10pm.

Investigating PC Mark Chipchase, said: “The fire caused significant damage to the vehicle and also caused damage to the front of the property.

“Thankfully no-one was injured by the fire but there were people inside the property at the time and the fire could have put them at serious risk of injury or worse.

“I am appealing for anyone who believes they saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area around the time stated or saw a person running from the address to get in touch.”

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting reference number F1/17/3452, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.