A FAMILY are in hiding after being fire-bombed out of their home in Burnley early today.

Peter Andrew Holmes, 28, was rescued by firemen who found him hanging out of a bedroom window with thick black smoke billowing behind him.

Peter and his father, also Peter, said they were warned yesterday the house in Airdrie Crescent would be petrol bombed if they didn't get out.

They had already moved some furniture to a secret address and Peter junior had gone back to dismantle bedroom furniture when he became trapped in the 4am attack.

After being released from hospital where he received treatment for the effects of breathing in smoke, Peter said: "I only returned to the house at 3am and was dismantling a wardrobe ready to be moved later when I heard a noise.

"I went downstairs but no-one was there.

"I went back upstairs and about ten minutes later I smelled smoke. I looked down the landing and all I could see was smoke and flames at the bottom of the door. Coats hanging on the wall were on fire.

"I was trapped. I banged on the walls shouting for help and then just hung out of the upstairs window until the fire brigade arrived. I was really frightened.''

The family moved on to the estate in February. A day later Peter's car was deliberately set on fire and destroyed.

Peter senior said: "The recent trouble started some weeks ago with kids messing about with the cars.

"We warned them to leave them alone but they kept on. We videoed them doing it and went to the police.

"After that we were threatened. Windows were put through some days ago when we were away in Wales.

"Then we were accused of grassing on people and warned we were going to be fire-bombed.

"We were in the process of moving out quietly when this happened. We have been driven out of our home. Had we all been asleep in bed we could have been killed.''

Fire Services were called at 4.14am. Station Officer Steve Cope said: "When we arrived the man was on the window ledge hanging as far away from the window as possible with nasty black smoke billowing out behind him.''

After being brought down by ladder, he was given oxygen at the scene and taken by ambulance to hospital.

Scenes of crime officers were called in because of the smell of accelerants.

Station officer Cope said: "The severity of the fire and the location of it indicates there is a distinct possibility that someone poured something through the letter box and ignited it.

"At this stage we are treating it as suspicious.''

Police are also investigating the incident and council officers are being asked to find alternative accommodation for the Holmes family.

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