POLICE have launched an investigation after a fire started by arsonists ravaged a family’s first floor flat.
Three young children and their parents managed to escape unharmed when their Winsford home was torched.
But the family’s pet Chihuahua was killed in the fire which started in the Nip-In shop below, on the corner of Siddorn Street and High Street, at 1.30am on Friday.
Det Sgt Christian Pugh, of Northwich Specialist Investigation Unit, said: “This was a potentially lethal attack and the family are very lucky.”
Police believe an object was thrown through a downstairs window on the Siddorn Street side of the shop, but are “keeping an open mind” over the possible motive. A third adult, another family member, was also in the flat at the time.
Cheshire Constabulary spokeswoman Jacqui Hanson said: “The fire alarm in the flat above the shop, where the family live, had activated, and all six of them managed to escape.
“Very fortunately none of them suffered any injuries. Sadly their dog died as a result of the fire.”
The parents, both in their late 20s, their two sons aged six and eight, and their three-year-old daughter have been temporarily re-homed.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0845 4580000, or CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
