A MILKMAN helped rescue a baby from arsonists who attempted to torch a house with a burning wheelie bin.

Keith Moores, 23, and girlfriend, Kimberley Peers, 18, of Enfield Road, Ellesmere Port, were sleeping upstairs when arsonists set fire to t heir front door, trapping the couple and their five-month-old baby, Carmel-Louise, inside.

The couple were woken at 4am by milkman Terry Slemmen pounding on their window, yelling that their front door was on fire.

Their home was already filled with thick smoke and Keith was forced to pass his baby daughter through the downstairs window.

No smoke alarms were fitted in the property and Keith, a contract cleaner, said: “I couldn’t find my keys for the door, so I opened the window to try and get the smoke out, and then went back upstairs to get the baby.

“I put the cot covers over her face and then I had to pass my daughter through the top window, and the milkman grabbed her and carried her out.”

Milkman Terry, 59, of Little Neston, said: “I just phoned the fire brigade and took hold of the baby it is as simple as that.

“I could see them coughing, the father was anxious because he couldn’t find his keys.

“I just kept out of the way and when they got around the side of the house I passed the baby back.

“I have been a milkman for 44 years, and this is not something that happens everyday.

“I am just happy that everyone is safe.”

The family only moved into Ellesmere Port from Hollywell, Flintshire, two weeks ago.

Keith said: “We are worried in case something happens like this again. It is alright for me and Kim because we can just walk out, but Carmel-Louise is only a baby and it is terrifying.

Kimberley added: “It is just sick that someone would do something like this, especially when there is a baby in the house.”

Cheshire Police launched an investigation into the attack, which they are treating as arson with intent to endanger life.

The blaze follows a string of attacks in Ellesmere Port and Neston, where wheelie bins have been set alight over the festive period.

Firefighters were called to a series of bin fires yesterday morning

at Mayfield Gardens, Neston.

Anyone with information contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.