Arsonists set fire to rubbish outside the front door of a family's home as a mother and three children slept inside.
The woman dialled 999 before dousing the burning bin bags with water.
Fire crews arrived at the house in Chailey Road, Moulsecoomb, Brighton, last night to find the fire had been put out.
Two hours later the woman rang police again when she was woken by what she thought was the sound of a cigarette lighter.
When officers arrived they found no signs of any intruders.
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