Elderly couple rushed to hospital after ‘petrol bomb’ attack on their home, as cops launch arson probe
AN elderly couple were rushed to hospital after a suspected petrol bomb attack on their home in the early hours.
The unnamed man and woman's conditions are currently unknown as Merseyside cops launched an urgent arson probe.
The blaze broke out at their house in Old Swan, Liverpool, in the early hours of Thursday.
The elderly residents were in bed at the time of the attack and suffered smoke inhalation and other injuries during the drama.
A fire was first reported to 999 at around 3.20am, prompting emergency services to race to the scene.
But the house was already surrounded by fierce flames by the time crews arrived.
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The couple are lucky to be alive as enquiries suggest the inferno was sparked deliberately.
Both the local fire and police services have united forces to solve the mystery of the unexplained arson attack.
An eyewitness, who asked not to be named, even said a "petrol bomb" started the blaze.
They added: "It's terrible that this couple were in bed and this happens. They are an elderly couple.
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"The police are walking around and they have a unit set up round the back. Police are doing a house to house later."
Police confirmed in a statement that their enquiries are ongoing and desperately urged witnesses to come forward to help solve the crime.
A Merseyside Police spokesman said: "At around 3.20am officers were called to a report of a fire at a property in the area. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service attended and extinguished the fire at an address on Dorien Road.
"A man and a woman were taken to hospital with smoke inhalation and other injuries. Further reports and examinations have established that the fire was caused deliberately.
"A joint investigation between Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and Merseyside Police is ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contact police."
Anyone who witnessed the incident or with any information can contact police by DM via @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ using reference 22000649658.
You can also contact the independent charity Crime stoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: .
The terrifying fire follows a "dark hour" for Liverpool in August after the death of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel.
The schoolgirl was shot dead last Monday in a killing that shook the city.
A police officer used his hand to cover Olivia’s bullet wound as he rushed her to hospital, an inquest heard this week.
He scooped up the nine-year-old in his arms when he found her dying at her home.
A week later chilling footage was released showing the moment the "cold-blooded" gunman fleed Olivia's family home running through the streets.
It shows the hooded man running through the dark streets on August 22 away from Olivia's home moments after the horror.
Head of Investigations Mark Kameen said it is believed he was carrying two guns that were used in the fatal shooting.
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It was previously believed just one gun had been used - with cops still searching for the weapons.
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On Tuesday, Liverpool FC captain, Jordan Henderson, paid tribute to the nine-year-old in the team's 9-0 victory over Bournemouth - revealing a shirt emblazoned with “RIP Olivia YNWA”.