A MOTHER says she and her two sons were 'five minutes from death' after arsonists attacked their home.

Marcia Littler and her teenage boys Alan and Tom were asleep when yobs torched an outbuilding behind their house in Ellesmere Port.

The fire spread to the back door, completely destroying the kitchen and causing smoke damage to other rooms. Luckily, Mrs Littler and her sons escaped unharmed.

The family, who live in Park Road, were alerted to the blaze at 2.02am on Thursday.

Mrs Littler said: 'We were in bed and had the windows open because it was summer. I smelled smoke coming through the back bedroom window where I sleep.

'I looked out into the back-yard and saw the fire. I screamed to the children to get up and get out.

'I closed the kitchen door on the fire, and that's probably what saved the rest of the house. We got out the front and called the fire brigade.'

She added: 'Five minutes later and we would have been dead.'

While Port fire crews spent two-and a-half hours dousing the blaze, neighbours rallied round her and her sons, Alan, 15, and Tom, 13.

Mrs Littler said: 'I can't thank the neighbours enough for their help, giving us drinks and the like. They were wonderful.

'But as for the fire, no-one holds a grudge against me.

'There are trees at the back here and people are climbing them to get over the walls. They should be cut down.'

Ken Dickenson of Ellesmere Port Fire Station said: 'We always urge people to close their inner doors before going to bed. In this case, it prevented the fire being much worse.'

A Cheshire police spokesman said: 'A joint police and fire investigation has commenced because it is believed the fire was maliciously started. 'Witnesses or anyone with information should call DC Paul Mason on 01244 613174 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.'