A TEENAGE mother and her young daughter were left terrified after arsonists targeted their home in a potential fatal case of mistaken identity.
Amy Martin, 18, and her two-year-old daughter Ellie were woken at 5am by banging on the front door of their home in Augusta Street, Accrington.
When Amy went to investigate, she found lighter fluid had been squirted through the letterbox and a lit piece of paper pushed through to set it on fire.
Police, who have appealed for information on to the incident, said the offenders had targeted a particular person but had gone to the wrong house.
DS Paul Broxson, of Accrington CID, said the two people responsible had shouted the name of a man who they believed was there. But he said the man, who is known to police, has never lived at the house.
Amy, a reservations clerk for Robinson's Holidays in Great Harwood, has sent her daughter to live with relatives, amid fears that the thugs who targeted her house on Saturday may strike again.
She said: "I was in bed and could hear noises which sounded like someone arguing in the street.
"It got louder and I heard banging so I went to the window.
"There was a lad banging on my door and he shouted that he wanted to see this other lad. I told him I didn't know what he was on about and the girl with him said to leave it then they walked off.
"For some unknown reason I went downstairs, instead of getting back in bed, and the lobby was in flames.
"They had put lighter fluid and lighted paper through the letter box.
"I lost my breath for a few seconds and didn't know what to do but I soaked some tea-towels and put it out."
Amy, who has rented her house for a year, says she recognised the name of the person the pair had asked for but said she had never met him.
She said: "I am frightened now that these people will come back or that other people may think this person is associated with my house.
"My daughter is staying with her dad's parents for now as it terrifies me what could have happened if I had not gone downstairs and the fire had spread."
Amy's parents, Susan, 40, and Darren, 37, live next door to their daughter. Susan said: "This has been very frightening for Amy and for us as well.
"If anyone knows who is responsible for this I would ask them to please contact the police."
DS Broxson said: "The offenders shouted for a named person who does not, and has never, lived at that address.
"We are trying to trace anyone who has seen or heard anything in relation to this."
He said one offender was a young male, possibly wearing a tracksuit top. The other was a female with long dark hair who also wore a tracksuit top.
DS Broxson can be contacted at Accrington CID on 01254 353743.
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