Family escape 'mistaken identity' arson attack

The fire occurred in the early hours of Saturday, police said

A family of four escaped their home which was set on fire in a case of "mistaken identity", police have said.

Durham Police said arsonists targeted a detached house in Doulton Court, Coxhoe, on Saturday at about 00:30 BST while a couple and their two children slept.

It said two suspects had poured accelerant over the family's white Mercedes and the front door of the property.

The force said the family had been able to escape uninjured and it was now appealing for witnesses.

A police spokesperson said: "This was a completely reckless arson attack, which placed an innocent family with young children at risk.

"We do not believe that this was a random incident, but it appears that the wrong address has been targeted and a young family has been put at serious risk."

The force said the blaze had been put out by the fire service on Saturday but "considerable damage" had been done to both the Mercedes and a second car parked on the drive, as well as the property's front door.