THREE young children and their parents managed to escape unharmed when their Winsford home was ravaged in a fire started by arsonists.

But the family’s pet Chihuahua was killed when the first floor flat was destroyed by the blaze, 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 incendiary object was thrown through a downstairs window on the Siddorn Street side of the shop, but are ‘keeping an open mind’ over the motive.

A third adult, another family member, was also in the flat and he too escaped unscathed.

Cheshire Constabulary spokeswoman Jacqui Hanson said: “The fire alarm in the flat above the shop, where the family live, activated and all six of them managed to escape.

“Fortunately none of them suffered any injuries. If the alarm had not gone off, the consequences could have been much worse.

“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 rehomed.

Insp Dave Snasdell, head of Winsford police, said: “The fire is being treated as suspicious. The family are lucky they got out. It just shows fire alarms save lives.”

Anyone with information should call police on 0845 4580000, or CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.