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Family flee for lives as torched car sets Dudley home on fire

A family had to flee for their lives when a burning car rolled towards their home and set the house on fire after an arson attack in the Black Country.

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The car which was torched before the fire spread to the house

The car was torched in Redcroft Road, near Warrens Hall Nature Reserve in Dudley, at around midnight on Saturday.

The burning vehicle then rolled towards the family home where Tairah Aftab was inside with five of her seven children.

As flames leaped out of the car, the blaze spread to the front door of the house and smoke started pouring inside.

Mrs Aftab believes her home was deliberately targeted.

"At 12am this morning my son woke me up because he could smell the burning car on fire," she explained.

"The car was up in flames and all of the neighbours were out in the street shouting and screaming and someone had called the emergency services for help.

"Next thing, I see that the front door is on fire.

"I was screaming my head off, I was just panicking about my children more than anything.

The car which was torched before the fire spread to the house

"All I could see was smoke and fire. I was just pleading it would stop.

"The smoke and flames kept coming closer towards us, I was just in a state of panic and absolutely didn't know what to do.

"The children had towels wrapped around their faces to protect them.

"The emergency services arrived and said to us to just get out of the house.

"We managed to escape through the back door and I had my children at my side protecting them."

Neither Mrs Aftab or any of the five children - the youngest of whom is seven - were injured and fire crews brought the blaze under control.

However she and her family have been left severely shaken after watching their home of 10 years catch fire.

West Midlands Police is investigating the arson attack but so far nobody has been arrested.

The arson attack happened in Redcroft Road, Dudley. Photo: Google

"It is something I have never gone through in my life," 43-year-old Mrs Aftab added.

"I thank God for the police, they stayed with us until 4am, they said it could have been a murder.

"The carpet on the stairs, doors, windows have all been damaged the whole front of the house is damaged by the fire.

"My friends came to help me and I stayed at their house.

"Me and my children are all not sleeping, we are so scared because of what happened.

"I was just so worried about my children I didn't know how to react.

"I am just a private person, I keep myself to myself and never bother anyone, why was I targeted?"

"We have been targeted by a family who we have complained about to the police.

"I have every confidence in the police."

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: "We’re investigating after a car was set alight in Redcroft Road, Dudley around midnight.

"The car rolled towards the house and set the front door on fire.

"A woman and five children at the address were able to leave the house safely. Noone was hurt.

"Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information should contact us via Live Chat on our website or call 101 quoting log 21 of 29/5. Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111."

A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said: "Crews from Dudley, Haden Cross and Tipton fire stations attended the scene. Three adults and two children were led to safety to the rear garden by our team.

"The fire had spread to the front corridor of the property with 40 per cent smoke logging to all floors.

"No persons were injured and received medical checks at the scene. We checked the loft space of the property to ensure there was no damage. A representative from Dudley Council also attended. We left the scene at around 1.45am."

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