A family fled their East Sussex home after arsonists started a blaze on the doorstep.
Firebugs set fire to a petrol can which quickly spread to the door of the three-bedroom semi-detached home in Stonehouse Drive, Hastings.
Smoke filled the downstairs area but the family managed to open the windows.
Firefighters arrived at around 7.50pm yesterday.
A brigade spokesman said: "It was only a small fire but who knows what the consequences could have been had the family been asleep."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article